The Sailor

"They say the waves of the old world, unconquerable. Yet I laughed at the sight of their burning ships." - Writings of Lixus

In the distant crevices of the Nydoan Empire's various islands lay the Vanetii Tribe working as a tributary of the empire. Sometimes sending food, other times money and men. The tribe has a particular specialization. Being a tribe that has lived on an archipelago roughly mideast of the empire, they're subjected to numerous sea raids and as such, have developed their own shipbuilding abilities to fight back.

Over time they manage to carve out a large tribe of their own along the Archipelago, becoming the leading maritime power of the seas they occupied. Of course, they weren't able to defeat the intensely powerful Nydoan army lead by Tei'hi. Thus they've became a puppet state under the empire.

Of the tribesmen, one particular tribesman was special. Bearing the name Lixus, son of Sextus, the tribe's sea-king. The one in charge of the strategical workings in a naval war. He, of course, shared his father's genius in the craft. That is why during the occupation of the Empire to his tribe, he joined the Empire's Navy.

There he distinguished himself, winning the battle of Lauriat against the Phenoxian Kingdom in which he made sure that all their ships went up in flames so volatile, they'll never rise from the ashes again.

Eventually he achieved the rank of Minister of the Sea, in charge of handling the Empire's Naval prowess, essentially being the Sea-king himself. Yet with a fervor unmatched, and more territory to manage, perhaps he sees himself as someone better than his own father.

His achievements far surpass the average naval officer. Eventually falling as one of Tei'hi's vice generals along with Zoroan. His time with Tei'hi was well known, being a young teenager when he was recruited by the general, he was held in high regard by Tei'hi. Seeing in him the talent that the General needed. Indeed, at one point it seemed like he and the general were brothers.

He was tasked, during the battle of Chezilux, to blockade the city state's ports at the back. A feat which some would say to be a large cause of the victory over the city.

He was also the one to develop the various ships that were used to cross the ocean between Nydorekith and Arcadia. Marking his place as one of the great founders.

And yet here he is. In a ship overlooking several islands in the far kilometers. He was in the new world now and he's attempting to prevent Sicilio's troops from reclaiming the island through naval bombardment. Things he never knew were possible.

There he sat, a young sailor sat beside him, by the looks of it, the sailor seemed to be as young as he was when he first joined the navy. He's too old now, and perhaps he should've gone with his general.

"Do you miss home, captain?" The young sailor asked.

Lixus thought for a moment, he stared into the far distance towards the west. For a while, he considered heading back east, back home. The ships could potentially make the trip, even more so if they were to find the island that they landed on. There was a long moment of silence, and the sailor just came with an understanding gesture.

He misses his home, in truth. If it was still there, he didn't have a family to go home to. Though would his father be proud of his achievements? He did not know how to listen to the voices of dead men.

"Maybe I do, kid." He responded. "But this is home now." He breathed heavily, recently he heard about the defeat in the Fiume. He hopes that the next battle would be a victory, or everything would fall under. The last thing he wants now is for legacy to disappear, along with his general's.

Even if it isn't for Astrian, even if it's for a dead man. He'd fight for the Empire. "Say," The young sailor started, "Why do you think so? I thought you'd miss your home." He continued.

Lixus chuckles, "Do you not want us here?"

The kid laughed, "Well, it did seem like we're better off here." He responded, "I'm more curious about you."

"You wish to know more about your captain eh?" He asked the starry-eyed boy. Who promptly agreed.

The captain turn around to the curious sailor and began telling stories. That of his birth, that of Tei'hi. That of the various battles that they participated in, the countless sieges they won, their defeats, and setbacks. In the long night, the sailors learned more about the Nydoan Empire than their parents, grandparents, and anyone from their home ever will.

That night, the wind blew silently as most of the other sailors either went to bed for the night or have gone back to their duties to the ship. It was in this night that Lixus was up on patrol, and from behind him, after hearing the silent swaying of saluting troops, was someone whose murk he always notices. Zoroan.

"Boatmaster."

"Siegemaster."

Lixus turned around, "What are you doing here then?" Asking Zoroan.

The siegemaster sat down beside him, grabbing a tobacco stick from his pockets and firing it up. He huffed, "This is a losing war." Zoroan says, downtrodden.

Silence fills the ship, some sailors may have heard those words, of course, it wasn't good for morale. Some of them just ignored it. "I don't believe it such." Lixus replied disgustingly, "We control their seas, a victory on land will be sure."

"We've lost way too many experienced men. Mere civilians with little training cannot beat a specialized army!" Zoroan smashed his fist down, yet putting his voice down to not alert the others.

"They were stupid! The next army is to be controlled by Astrian, I have hopes for that kid." He declared. He oozed confidence for his general, trusting in Tei'hi's decision as a basis.

"And what if he loses? We can't be sure about the child's talents. If he loses that battle then we would not be strong enough to fight back against them. We'll be sitting ducks!" He relented, to some merit, Lixus knows that a scenario is possible.

"If that were to happen," a sweat trickles down his face, "We'll be okay. We control the seas. We blockade their ports and the entrance so that Tisus doesn't receive any reinforcements."

"If that were to happen," Zoroan started, "It'd be better to grab the mantle of our general ourselves." He sighed as he stands up, "Talk to me if you want to do so." Zoroan leaves.