Chapter IX - What's next?

At night, Dandorio, after receiving the orders and resources from Prisco, found it difficult to sleep because he kept thinking about the future of Afriki and thoughtful in choosing the people to whom he could turn to make the work more bearable.

As soon as the morning was done, he hastened to buy all the materials, by shipment, necessary for the realization of the fleet, and to give instructors to the new workers so that they would learn how the ships were built in Fiore.

A few days later, and without warning, a large number of carriages arrived at the port with everything he had requested.

Port Fiore, northeast of Afriki

Third week of the first month of 576

"Careful, you fools!" shouted Dandorio to a group of men who were unloading wood from one of the carriages, and who, at the game, threw some boards.

'Well, with what little we had before we managed to put some together,' he thought as he wandered his gaze over ten boats anchored at the dock. 'I wonder how he's doing...'

"Buh!" Quietly, a boy approached from behind, grabbed him by the shoulders and startled him.

"You idiot!" he shouted with his hand on his chest, panting.

When he saw who the funny guy was, he smirked.

"What a scare you gave me, Axio."

Axio, the youngest of the Moxoto at twenty-two, framed by his exuberant beauty; magnificent brown hair and beautiful blue eyes.

"I had to get you out of your trance, what were you thinking?"

That question erased the slight smile that had formed on his face.

"In Opiter, I was thinking about Opiter, about our brother."

Axio's spirits vanished when he heard that.

As was customary, the eldest, as Opiter is, was the most adored and endeared among all the siblings in a family.

The Moxoto's, although supportive of Philipart's decision, were saddened to realize that they would not see Opiter again for a long time, if ever.

"Come on!," he tried to calm the tense atmosphere. "We have other things to worry about now," With one hand he pointed to the harbor.

Dandorio, still somewhat downcast, accepted his words.

"Yes, you're right...," he thundered his neck to lighten up. "You better tell me, how come you're getting married? Ha!"

"Shut up!" he shouted as he caught Dandorio's mocking tone. "It's the best thing for the family, we'll have many benefits. What I don't like very much is that... it took him eight years."

After finishing his sentence, his face paled a little.

"Fayruz is quite a beautiful and prudent young lady. I am sure you will know how to treat her. Above all, I know you wouldn't be able to force her to do perverted things...," he gave Axio a withering look.

"No! By Nintu¸ do you really think me capable of something like that?"

Indignant, he put his hand to his chest.

"I will not take advantage of her innocence, I will treat her like a queen."

Dandorio smiled.

He could see that, although he was still joking like a child, he was already capable of facing his responsibilities.

"Well," Dandorio began, "I can't reproach you for anything. I adopted Palas at your age... Eight years have passed since then, and she is still the same curious and beautiful girl, just like the day I met her."

Peace came into her being as he remembered how he found her in the middle of a town destroyed by war, helpless in the rubble.

"You played the hero, but it turned out well," he laughed, and turned around, "You greet her for me, I have to go to Fayruz's house, her parents want to talk to me.…"

"Ha! I wish you luck then."

Axio said no more, and with laughter, he left the dock.

Dandorio turned towards the sea, and gazed at the horizon.

In the distance, he could see the island over which the viceroyalty and the arkonians have been in constant struggle for more than two centuries now.

'Herzof...'

"Dad!"

"Ah!"

He startled as he felt himself being wrapped in a hug around his waist.

"Palas, daughter, what a fright! What are you doing here?"

Somewhat dazed by the two surprises he had had in a short time, he caressed her skin with one of his hands.

Blushing as she felt Dandorio's caresses, she answered:

"Besides coming to see you, I brought in some carriages the first batch of supplies that Mr. Prisco asked for."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the entrance to the port, already saturated with too many vehicles.

Dandorio broke away from the embrace and turned to her, thus, being able to contemplate her cherished blue eyes that shone in a beautiful reflection of the sea.

"Is something wrong daddy?" She looked at him curiously, forming a delicate smile on her lips. "What's troubling you?"

"Well...," he glanced sideways at the horizon, and raised his hand to point to the island in the distance. "I'm afraid we'll be invaded from Herzof."

Hearing that, Palas twisted his lip, not because of that complaint, but because of the helplessness of not knowing what to say to his so that he wouldn't worry so much.

"Calm down," he asked after seeing the concern forming in Palasia's expression. "It is a matter of sending sentry ships and reinforcing the protection of the ports, taking soldiers to them. I'll take care of that myself, so please...."

He approached her, and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Don't worry about me, daughter."

She sighed, and now a little calmer, she let out a smile. And feeling warmth on her cheeks, she turned around.

"I gave myself a moment to come and see you, Dad. Now I have to go check on the shipment. I'll see you at home for dinner."

That said, she left.

Alone, Dandorio went back to what he had been doing before: staring at Herzof.

"Fuck, I really hope Philipart knows very well what we're doing.... Technically we're already at war."