The Emperor gave a slight bow of his head and put his hand on the side of the wooden crate. "And you are a fierce defender of your King. A man of honor. A man once broken, and now restored."
First Sea Lord and Grand Admiral of the Eldermont navy Noster Raynott stood atop the aft castle of the Queen Beatriz, hands clasped behind his back, and outwardly radiated assuredness and calm. Inwardly, Raynott was far from calm. He...
Hazel looked closer at this figure that stood before her. His skin was grey and split with rot. Necrotic boils and swellings seeped black fluid, and maggots wriggled from holes in his flesh, fell, and formed growing piles around his feet.