Kairos 65: Golden Kingdom

They reached Vali’s coast around midday.

Kairos had heard tales of the merchant kingdom and of its capital of Ugarit, but the reality still surprised him. Though nowhere near as splendid or awe-inspiring as Orichalcos before its destruction, the port-city before them was a sight to behold. Almost entirely made of bricks and red stone, the settlement appeared to rise out of an arid desert. Massive walls protected it from attack, while an extensive engineering system drew water from the core of the earth to feed their crops.

The most impressive structure was a ziggurat tower standing at the very center of the capital. Its size trumped even that of Orichalcos’ palace, and it wasn’t even finished. Strange creatures resembling giant, red ants worked to transport bricks on their back to raise the structure ever higher. Others wielded swords and shields with their forelegs, overseeing human and insectoid workers. The tower cast a black shadow upon the city, obscuring the sun.

“Myrmidons,” Kairos said as he identified the giant ants working on the tower. They appeared as big as horses, their chitinous skin red as blood and their black eyes strangely expressive. These creatures were as intelligent as any human.

“Vali was built on an alliance between local human tribes and myrmidon colonies,” Cassandra explained the island’s history to Kairos, as the Foresight made its way to the city’s docks. Ugarit’s port overflowed with activity, dozens of ships from Lyce, Argos, or Achlys coming to trade along its shores. “The myrmidons extract precious gold deep below the earth and the kingdom’s merchants sell it. Vali’s monarchy guarantees the safety of this trade.”

A kingdom built on the friendship of two species, Kairos thought. He could already tell their stay in Vali would prove very different from their misadventures in Orichalcos.

The whole place seemed as different from Travia as night and day. The air was hot and dry, even with winter’s chilly winds descending upon the Sunsea. Kairos struggled against the heat underneath his armor, and would trade it for something more comfortable.

Tiberius had sent a message through a Stymphalian bird to announce their arrival to the king of Vali, and the authorities had sent a welcoming committee. An escort of human and myrmidon soldiers awaited the Foresight along the docks, alongside a cadre of diplomats.

Kairos had asked his crew to dress and look as best as they could, and they followed through. Cassandra had traded her armor for the same flowery dress she had worn at her superior’s wedding with Julia, and Tiberius looked every bit the Lycean noble in his toga. Nessus had taken a different approach and chosen to dress as a jester, under the pretext that he was too droll for a noble. His outfit included an outlandish cape of scarlet and steely feathers, mostly taken from Rook and the Stymphalian birds.

Agron started playing notes on his Songaxe to announce their arrival, and Andromache joined Kairos on the deck. The Scylla had traded her usual clothes for a splendid red dress and a silver hairnet with emeralds where two strands crossed. She looked every bit like a gracious muse of legends, and Kairos couldn’t take her eyes off her.

“Surprised, my love?” The Scylla asked with a raised eyebrow. “You wanted me to dress like a queen.”

“You did,” Kairos replied, as Rook landed on the deck near them. “I love it.”

Andromache smiled at the compliment, her fangs immediately ruining her illusion of a prim and proper lady. “Good,” the witch said, “I could tell during our latest union that your mind wasn’t with me.”

Kairos winced at the reproach. Truth be told, yes, he had spent the evening worrying about Julia and his unborn child. “I’m sorry.”

“You worry for your progeny,” she said, before kissing him on the cheek. “I would be a poor partner if I blamed you for it.”

She was in an awfully good mood today. Kairos wondered if she rejoiced each time she looked at Orichalcos’ pilfered wealth.

“It’s almost time,” Rook said, giddy at the idea of making an entrance.

Cassandra, however, looked far less enthusiastic. “Kairos, look.”

She pointed at a ship anchored along the docks, a stripped quinquireme with two masts and hundreds of oars. Though slightly smaller than the improved Foresight, the vessel was clearly built for war, with a strong bronze ram shaped like a tiger’s head. A blue and golden lioness flag triumphed atop the masts, promising a swift death to anyone challenging her.

The Unconquered.

Teuta’s personal flagship.

“We’ve arrived too late,” Kairos said with disappointment. The conflict in Orichalcos had delayed them too much.

“No, we haven’t,” Cassandra reassured him. “We wouldn’t have such a warm welcome otherwise. But it’s still worrying.”

Kairos looked over the deck, and at the head of Nausicaa peeking the waves. “Keep an eye on that ship,” he ordered her, “watch and listen. If anything suspicious happens, I want to know it.”

The mermaid responded with a nod, and vanished underwater.

When the Foresight prepared to land, Kairos climbed on Rook’s back, followed by Andromache. The Sellsword King knew that he would make a more impressive entrance this way. Agron immediately followed up with an intense, triumphant melody.

“Did you ask him to sing for our arrival?” Kairos asked Andromache with a smirk.

“I have grown fond of these songs,” his concubine admitted, “and of the bull that sings them. I find his company tolerable.”

My, had she and Agron started to become friends? War made for strange bedfellows.

Kairos could read between the lines, however. “His songs soothe you?”

“They do,” Andromache admitted. “Now that he has become a [Hero] and improved his singing Skills, his music carries true magical powers. I asked him to calm the bestial fury within me… and so far it’s working. My mind is clearer than it has been in years.”

Kairos made a note to reward Agron for his service, before playfully kissing the witch on the neck. “I know another way to soothe you…”

“You will make up for last night later,” Andromache replied with a pleased expression. “I look forward to it.”

When the ship docked, Rook leaped from the deck onto a brick floor, while the rest of Kairos’ officers followed.

A man and two women welcomed them, all of them around Kairos’ own age. From their faces, the pirate assumed they belonged to the same family. Their skin was dark, light brown, and their eyes as blue as the sea.

Each looked fearsome in their own way, though the man at the center struck Kairos as the most dangerous. This warrior was clad in an expensive linothorax armor of gold, steel, and linen stitched together into layers. He had removed his helmet, revealing his handsome aquiline face and short black hair, but kept a sword around his belt. He rode a stallion black as a starless night, one with a few scars on his hide. They clearly had been in a battle of some kind recently.

The women on the man’s left and right were both warriors too, but of a different sort. The one on the right was the very picture of a nubile amazon, a graceful athletic creature with long brown hair wielding a spear and shield in her hands, while a bow and quiver rested on her back. Her golden silk outfit was adapted to the desert, leaving her navel, arms, and legs exposed. A single golden crown stood on her head, topped by blue parrot feathers, and she rode a slender brown mare.

The woman on the left was more delicate, dressing in shimmering silk blue robes that left most of her cleavage exposed, and using makeup and jewels to enhance her natural beauty. She had dyed her flowing hair in a light azure hue, and she didn’t carry any weapon; for a weapon carried her. Instead of a horse, her mount was a slender black canine with a forked tail, squarish ears, and a long nose with a slight downward curve. The animal rivaled lions in size, and Kairos immediately identified it as a Sha, a desert monster capable of summoning sandstorms.

Kairos immediately used his [Observer] to identify the trio.

Prince Hadad of Vali, the Great

Legend: Young Conqueror (Hero).

Pantheon: None.

Race: Human.

Class: Fighter (Epihipparch, General, Heavy Cavalier, Charioteer, Myrmidon, Tactician, Champion).

Level: 45.

Princess Asherah of Vali

Legend: None (Elite).

Race: Human.

Class: Fighter (Mounted Archer, Heavy Cavalier, Archer, Charioteer, Shieldmaiden, Warmaster, Hunter).

Level: 35.

Princess Anat of Vali

Legend: None (Elite).

Race: Human.

Class: Fighter (Shieldmaiden, Raider, Champion, Hunter, Beastmaster).

Level: 35.

“King Kairos,” the prince greeted him with a nod. Most impressively, he did so in the Travian tongue. “I am Prince Hadad, son of His Majesty King Philip, and these are my younger sisters Asherah and Anat. It is a pleasure to welcome you in Vali.”

“Greetings, Prince Hadad,” Kairos said while returning the nod. “Thank you for welcoming us in person.”

“The honor is all mine. I’ve wanted to meet the destroyer of Orthia and the Argo’s slayer in person for a while.” Unlike Mithridates, Prince Hadad’s smile was warm and genuine. So was the glow in his eyes as his gaze moved from Kairos’ [Golden Fleece] cloak to the Foresight. “I see the tales of your living ship weren’t exaggerated. Is it true that it ate a Cetus?”

“More than one,” Kairos replied, making the prince laugh. “You look ready for war, Prince Hadad.”

“Our brother returned from another glorious campaign this morning,” princess Asherah said with a laugh, her voice as clear as crystal. The sun briefly reflected on her golden crown, making her appear like a messenger of the heavens for a brief second. “He pacified the tribe of Mot in Vali’s name, returning peace to the land.”

“I was supposed to enjoy a good rest, but when your messenger bird arrived, I dropped everything to welcome you personally,” the prince explained. “I wouldn’t have missed your arrival for anything.”

“Neither would I,” his sister Anat said from atop her sha mount, as she appraised Rook. “[Beastmasters] are so rare, and I haven’t met one bonded to a griffin before.”

“I’m the biggest griffin there is!” Rook said while showing his chest.

“You have to, to carry these two manlings on your back,” Anat’s sha mount replied. The hound’s voice sounded feminine to Kairos’ ears. “One is already a pain.”

“I heard that,” her rider pointed out with a grin.

“You can’t silence the truth,” the canine said, before focusing back on the griffin. “I’m Eshmun, nice to meet you birdie.”

The two [Animal Companions] quickly started talking - or rather complaining about the weight of their respective riders - but Kairos ignored them to focus on the human entourage.

Prince Hadad greeted Andromache with courtly grace. “And who is this charming creature?” he asked Kairos.

“My paramour, Andromache,” the pirate king replied.

“Greetings, prince,” Andromache said with a courteous nod, trying to hide her fangs. “We brought you gifts.”

“So did we,” the prince replied with a laugh. “I hope you will find them agreeable.”

The fact that they returned gifts at all delighted Kairos, as it bound both parties to the laws of Xenia. This is going way better than Orichalcos, the pirate king thought, as his men unloaded chests from the Foresight.

Half of Kairos’ gifts came from Histria, and the other from Orichalcos’ plunder. They included chests of silver, exquisitely carved weapons, pearls, rare algae spices, a bow made of Cetus bones, and marble statues. To Kairos’ surprise, Prince Hadad was mostly interested in a Thales-made compass added to the treasure pile almost as an afterthought.

The Valians’ gifts were no less impressive, including pouches of gold dust, painted turtle shells, ivory horns, lion pelts, and philosophy scrolls. “You’ll find these books the most precious gifts of them all,” Prince Hadad said, while his sister Asherah tried the Cetus bone bow.

Afterward, the prince greeted Kairos’ officers, princess Anat whistling at Agron. “My, a [Hero]-Ranked [Skald]!” she said with a sparkle in her eyes. “And a minotaur at that! You must play for me during your stay.”

“If you wish,” Agron replied gruffly, clearly more at home on a battlefield than in a princess’ company.

“My, Tiberius!” Prince Hadad greeted the Lycean. “It is always a pleasure to see you. Will your father join us too?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Tiberius replied. “But I will represent him.”

“I’m sure the merchants of the city will delight at your coming. Those who favor Lyce over Alexandria at least.” Kairos didn’t miss the uneasy glance his sisters sent him as he spoke.

Princess Asherah’s eyes wandered from Agron to Cassandra, and then finally to Andromache. “You have many heroes in your employ, King Kairos,” the Valian lady said with a hint of respect. “People might start to call you the new Argonauts someday.”

“We have many [Heroes], but Vali has a [Demigod],” Cassandra said, trying to subtly learn of General Zama’s whereabouts.

“We do,” Prince Hadad said with a hint of pride. “But I’m afraid my dear mentor won’t be joining us today. General Zama is hosting our other Travian guests as we speak.” 

It took all of Kairos’ willpower not to wince at these words, but his distaste must have shown on his face all the same. 

“I understand there are tensions between you and Queen Teuta?” Prince Hadad asked.

“You can say that,” Kairos replied, “we are rivals.”

“You are all guests here, and my father will not have blood shed beneath his roof,” Prince Hadad warned. “As your host, I ask that you refrain from violent actions as long as you remain on Vali’s soil.”

“Of course,” Kairos said. “Things haven’t escalated to violence between us anyway.”

Not yet at least.

“Good,” the prince said. Though his smile remained warm, Kairos sensed a hint of calculation in his gaze. Was he trying to figure out how the situation might impact his country? “Vali intends to keep good relationships with Travia and will remain neutral in your dispute. Maybe you and Teuta could use the opportunity to reconcile?”

“Maybe,” Kairos replied, though he doubted it. He would rather avoid fighting his countrymen if he could help it, but Teuta was too deeply involved in Mithridates’ activities for his taste.

The answer satisfied the prince, who had horses brought to transport Kairos’ crew. “You must be exhausted after such a long journey, especially on the onset of winter,” Princess Anat said with graceful courtesy. “We will have rooms set for you in the palace. If you would kindly follow us.”

Kairos graciously accepted, and the royal escort guided them towards the palace. The prince and his sisters rode at the forefront with the Travian King, showing him the city.

As befitting its reputation as a commercial crossroads, Ugarit overflowed with shops and merchants. The large dusty streets welcomed rows of stands where foreign and local traders showcased their wares from jewelry to exquisite artisan works. Most items appeared either made of goldware or animal parts, such as ivory tusks, pelts, and tortoise shells. The smell of spices filled the air, while veiled whores invited sailors and travelers to taste their charms in seedy brothels and gambling dens.

To Kairos’ distaste, he also noticed a few slave pens where men sold their kindred to traveling Lyceans or Alexandrians. By now the pirate king had grown jaded to the market’s omnipresent presence south of Travia, realizing that his people were the exception rather than the rule.

In time, this will change, Kairos thought. Nothing lasting can be founded on people’s servitude.

Even Zeus couldn’t turn the tide when his slaves decided to rebel.

He tried to ignore the human pens by focusing on the architecture, and to his surprise, he suddenly realized that most houses followed the same model of construction. Their conical shapes rose towards the skies, with chimney holes at the roof’s center and tiny windows. The entrances were usually built below ground level, with stairs leading down to a basement rather than a first floor.

The houses reminded Kairos of anthills.

In fact, he noticed quite a few myrmidon workers toiling on houses or checking up on the city’s walls. Even the merchants’ stands followed a similar appearance, with none deviating much from the other.

“Were all buildings in the city made by myrmidons?” Kairos asked his royal escort.

“All of them,” Princess Anat confirmed. “By law, all public works in Vali’s cities are overseen by myrmidon colonies. They are the best engineers in the world, and their standards are incredibly high. They will only live in cities that they built themselves.”

“They also maintain our wells and canals,” Princess Asherah explained. “We provide agricultural services for them in exchange, as they are hopeless at it. This symbiosis is the foundation upon which our civilization rests. Literally. Most myrmidons live in the tunnels under Ugarit.”

Kairos looked up at the city’s central tower, his eyes widening as its shape suddenly started to become vaguely familiar. “Don’t tell me—”

“Indeed!” Prince Hadad chuckled. “We live in the biggest anthill in the world.”

Incredible… Even Andromache appeared fascinated by this strange ant kingdom.

“Tell me, King Kairos, what is the most important part of a land army?” Prince Hadad asked his guest, as they traveled through the vast streets of Ugarit. Many merchants gazed at them as they approached, while women and children bowed before the prince. Kairos wondered how many of them were spies reporting to Mithridates. “The cavalry, or the infantry?”

“The air force,” Kairos replied, making the prince laugh. His eyes caught a glance of monstrously tall animals with grey skin, an elongated trunk, and powerful tusks waiting at a street corner. The Valian used their elephants to either carry their wares or the litter of rich merchants, and Rook couldn’t help but salivate at the sight of the tasty pachyderms.

“And the [Spellcasters], my love,” Andromache added with a fox-like grin. “Do not forget us.”

“Never,” he reassured her. “Nor the humble [Crafters].”

“Forgive my brother, King Kairos,” Princess Anat said with amusement. “He asks that question to everyone, and he always expects cavalry as the answer.”

“Because it’s true,” Hadad replied after regaining his composure. “In a fair fight with both armies being equal, a judicious use of the cavalry will prevail every time.”

“A fair fight is a defeat in itself,” Kairos pointed out. “If you have done your job as a commander, you should have maximized your chances of victory and minimized those of the enemies before a battle even begins. Surprise and preparation will win the day more often than horses.”

That was how he had always won his battles. Whenever he had let his foes have the initiative, the Travian had suffered costly defeats.

“Good point,” Hadad admitted. “The tribes who gave me the most trouble were those who refused a direct battle, destroying my supplies, harassing my scouts, and scattering when I gave pursuit. I had to lure them into a trap to end the pointless chase.”

“We had to lure them into a trap,” Princess Asherah replied with a raised eyebrow. “Were it not for Anat and I, you would still be running circles in the desert.”

“Nobody denies your contribution, my dear, but it is I who imagined the ambush and led the charge.” Prince Hadad blew a kiss to his sisters before focusing back on Kairos. “It is rare for me to talk with a foreign strategist of your caliber. Especially one of my age.”

The flattery made Kairos uncomfortable. “I’m not that special, Prince Hadad.”

“I disagree. You have won battles with a fraction of the enemy’s forces, and you have gathered a host of powerful [Heroes] in a very short time. Perhaps we could discuss tactics over dinner? I feel we have much to learn from each other.”

“Certainly,” Kairos replied with a smile, “but a good strategist never reveals all his secrets.”

Prince Hadad laughed. “I don’t expect you to.”

Kairos could tell that the two of them would get along fantastically well.

“If I may ask,” Andromache said with a cold, calculating gaze. “Why is Queen Teuta here?”

“The same reason for your visit,” Princess Asherah said with a knowing glance. “They want our support in that future Thessalan war of yours.”

So they already knew. “Have you made a choice yet?” Kairos asked.

“No,” Prince Hadad replied. “But we will.”

“And how will you choose?” Even though he had asked the question, Kairos already suspected the answer.

“My, we’ll choose as we always did.” Prince Hadad gave the Travian King a playful wink. “We’ll choose the one with the best offer.”

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A/N: chapter made possible by you, dear Patrons.