Chapter 8: Rosalind Grace

　　The sun stood up high at the noon banner. The cool Wednesday breeze flowed on the canvas sails that shimmered in the distance. At the cafe by the port, Bel was busy setting up her camera to capture the boats that finally arrived. There was no time to dilly-dally. The telegram from the higher-ups wanted photos of the event, and a few photographers that stood beside her had the same idea. They looked at each other with fierce eyes, as the shimmering azure lane brought the Sublime Fleet to the port.

　　Who was going to take the best shot of the Rosalind Grace? That was what they wagered on when they met each other at the flea market just a few minutes ago. The winner will win 500 ducats, and everyone is all in good sportsmanship. Likewise, Lucille watched her sister`s eager enthusiasm. After the incident, the good woman who rescued her had asked her a few questions about the man shrouded in darkness. She hoped that whatever she said would be taken in good faith and be the truth...

　　"There are many things that mus—No& That`s not good enough." She quietly mumbled under her breath, her hands sweating. "The rich culture of the town of Loreinstad, its winding labyrinthine streets and the most beautiful marina in Serres. Mr. Morgan, do you think that this is good enough?"

　　Morgan had his hood off today and let his hair go fall. It was lengthy at around shoulder length. He closely put himself forward to read the article Lucille was writing.

　　"Hmm, you`re writing about the town?" Morgan questioned, putting his hand on Lucille`s shoulder. "Tourists don`t usually flock here, only during the festival season." Morgan then went silent once more and took his time to read.

　　Lucille anxiously awaited Morgan`s response, he took a moment to read through her article. His gaze lingered on the page, absorbed in the words she had written about the town of Loreinstad. Finally, he looked up and met her eyes with a thoughtful expression.

　　"I must admit, Lucille, you`ve captured the essence of Loreinstad beautifully," Morgan replied, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Your descriptions evoke the charm of the winding labyrinthine streets and the enchantment of the marina. However, if you want to truly captivate readers and entice tourists, we need something more... intriguing."

　　Lucille`s heart skipped a beat, wondering what he had in mind. "What do you suggest, Mr. Morgan?"

　　"Oh, what do I know? You`re the journalist right? It`s your job."

　　A quiet expression lingered on her eyes. "Right. Though I do wonder, does the boat come by often? I heard of the riches the boats carry to parade to cities they visit."

　　"I can`t say much. The fact that those boats are coming now is a big deal to the people here. In our guild, we work as mercenaries or task doers for everyone here. But mainly, we`re a merchant guild, so most of our members are masters of their trade. They`ll likely sell their wares, and do business."

　　"How do you know so much about the processes that go in your guild? I`m quite jealous. You pick up information quite readily, at least compared to me."

　　"Uh, a buddy of mine just so happens to be a man who got real wealthy doing this. He died a few months ago, but he certainly loved to talk about the Fleet and especially the guild`s headquarters at Trulenia."

　　"Your guild is centered in Trulenia?" Lucille said, turning her head to make sure she did not hear a fib. "Really? That`s where your seniors are?"

　　"Basically. But they`re quite distant."

　　"Distant, you say? Do you mean that in a not close situation or just the mere distance?" Lucille asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

　　"Uhh& What did you think I meant by that?"

　　Before Lucille could even answer, the sound of a bell then rang in their ears. Each strike rebounded and accompanied the sound of the foghorn roaring its call guiding the four boats into the ports. From afar, they looked like models in boats, but up close they were gigantic. Lucille looked away from the sight and looked at her sister. She was busy talking with the other photographers, but she could not tell what the contents of their conversation was.

　　That did not matter. The boats slid into the docks, and tied themselves to the bitts. Seamen, dressed in a bright white and blue striped shirt and marine hats, marched down the plank and hauled large amounts of wooden crates onto the floor. Crowds gathered to watch the spectacle, and soon Morgan and Lucille followed suit.

　　"Hey, Lucy." Bel`s voice came from behind.

　　"What is it?" Lucille replied as she trailed along the crowd. "Do you need something?"

　　"Can you judge our photos as soon as we finish developing them?"

　　"Alright, I will. Maybe later tonight?"

　　The sight of the Rosalind Grace, the flagship of the fleet, was a humbling one— Indeed, the boat looked like the sketches of books that were in the books she had read, only they paled in comparison to the real thing. The bow of the ship had a bronze phoenix proudly adorned as its figurehead, still looking as though it was recently forged from the smithy. And the white canvas sails that had the symbol of the Sublime Cities: a royal seal with two snakes that ate each other`s tails the Cross Stars in the center. The symbols were& sublime, more so than the green and blue standard that flew across the country of Serres.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

　　Lucille admired the craftsmanship, especially the phoenix figurehead and so did Morgan. Then, after the seamen were finished carrying the cargo off the boats and onto the cobblestone path, two strange men appeared on deck. The crowd busied themselves on who the man was. One hopped off the boat in the most daring way. He jumped off from the deck and into the wooden dock. His momentum caused him to run through the wooden planks and into the water. Cries of worry reared the people.

　　"Lord have mercy upon my soul. I have crashed again!" He wailed as the sound of splashing heralded his coming. "Gail! Help me up."

　　"With pleasure, master." said the man who followed the strange man. He did exactly the same thing the other man did, but he leapt out of the water bringing a fountain of water rushing to the surface. The water splashed on everyone in the vicinity. The two men then slowly floated back down to the surface as Gail held up an umbrella to slow their descent.

　　"Good, Gail. You`ve done another good thing today." The strange man laughed. As they landed, the strange man — dressed in a formal outfit befitting an upperclassman — did a graceful flourish to the audience watching him, and slicked his hair back.

　　"Good day, to the denizens of this land." He declared in a strong foreign accent, bringing his emotions to his body. "My name is Leopold Amadeo Medizo III, this is my servant Gail Robert Quincy, a dear friend and we would like to introduce ourselves to this town!"

　　Gail brought a basket of carnations out and tossed them to the people. They were mixed about this wonderfully gay man. Each of them passed down their thoughts upon meeting him, since he seemed so self-absorbed about himself. Lucille was equally in tune with their thoughts, and she wrote down in her notepad her opinions on the matter.

　　"Lo, and behold. The man named Leopold who made his appearance to the crowd in an absurd way. The whimsy he exuded from his formal look and the handsome face on Mr. Quincy seemed to take the crowd by storm. The seamen were less amused."

　　End quote.

　　Leopold continued his grand introduction, his words weaving a tale of far-off lands and daring escapades. He regaled the crowd with stories of treasures discovered, mythical creatures encountered, and encounters with notorious pirates. With each word, he painted a vivid picture that captured the imagination of some and left others questioning the veracity of his tales. As Leopold spoke, Gail, his loyal servant, stood quietly by his side, holding an umbrella to shield them both from the scorching sun.

　　"Leopold. The son of that other Leopold." Morgan uttered under his breath.

　　Lucille turned to Morgan, intrigued by his remark. "Do you know something about this Leopold?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

　　Morgan hesitated for a moment before responding. "I`ve heard rumors about him and his family. They come from a long line of adventurers and explorers, known for their extravagant tales and larger-than-life personalities. Some say they possess ancient artifacts and have connections to hidden societies. But it`s difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the Medizo family."

　　Lucille nodded, absorbing the information. Leopold`s grand introduction and flamboyant demeanor suddenly made more sense. She couldn`t help but feel a mix of fascination and skepticism herself.

　　As Leopold`s speech reached its climax, he raised his hands in the air, captivating the crowd`s attention. "Ladies and gentlemen," he declared, his voice resonating with theatrical flair, "I present to you the treasures and wonders I have brought from distant lands! Artifacts that tell tales of forgotten civilizations, precious gems that shine with otherworldly brilliance, and maps that lead to untold riches!"

　　The crowd murmured with anticipation, their eyes fixed on Leopold and the baskets of treasures beside him. Lucille`s journalistic instincts kicked in, and she pushed her way through the gathering to get a closer look.

　　Leopold noticed Lucille`s approach and his eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Ah, a curious journalist, I see!" he exclaimed, extending a hand toward her. "Come closer, my dear, and behold the wonders of the world."

　　Lucille hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with questions about the authenticity of Leopold`s claims. But her desire for a captivating story and her fascination with the unknown compelled her forward. She cautiously stepped closer and glanced at the artifacts displayed before her.

　　Leopold, sensing her skepticism, grinned mischievously. "Ah, but do not be quick to judge, my dear," he said, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. "Behind every tale, there lies a sliver of truth, waiting to be discovered. It is up to you, the seeker of stories, to unravel the mysteries that lie within.

　　Then, Leopold was hit by a bigger man. Leopold staggered back as he was struck by the forceful blow from the bigger man. The grandiose aura surrounding him seemed to deflate, replaced by a look of surprise and slight indignation. He composed himself quickly, adjusting his attire and smoothing his disheveled hair.

　　"Ah, Heinrich," Leopold said, his voice tinged with a touch of annoyance. "Always the voice of caution, aren`t you?"

　　"Hey, boss." Heinrich said, "Remember that it`s not time to show your toys. We`ve got trading business to do. This`ll reach your older brother if you continue to do this."

　　Heinrich, the bigger man who had struck Leopold, stood tall with a stern expression on his face. He exuded an air of authority and a no-nonsense demeanor. The crowd around them fell into an uneasy silence, unsure of what was transpiring. He was dressed in a military uniform, and had badges on his chest.

　　Leopold sighed and nodded in reluctant agreement. "Very well, Heinrich. You are right, as always. I tend to get carried away with my flair for the dramatic. We shall follow your lead."

　　Turning to the crowd, Leopold offered an apologetic smile. "My dear friends, it seems I have let my enthusiasm get the better of me. Please accept my apologies for the interruption. Rest assured, when the time is right, I shall share the wonders I have brought with utmost care and reverence."

　　The crowd murmured among themselves, some disappointed by the abrupt halt to the spectacle, while others appreciated the cautionary approach. Lucille, too, felt a mixture of disappointment and curiosity. She couldn`t help but wonder what secrets lay behind those crates and why they required such careful handling.

　　Heinrich stepped forward, his gaze shifting to Lucille. "And you, miss," he said, his tone softer now. "I hope you watch your step."

　　The arriving party left, their departure leaving behind a sense of anticipation and curiosity in the air. Lucille watched as Leopold, Heinrich, and their entourage made their way towards the town, their crates of treasures in tow. She couldn`t shake off the feeling that there was more to this encounter than met the eye.

　　As the commotion settled and the crowd dispersed, Lucille found herself surrounded by photographers eager to develop their photos and showcase their skills. She agreed to judge their work later that evening, as Bel had requested.