"Mr Lourens, I would like to introduce my family to you."

That man was leisurely sitting at the table with his legs crossed. In his hand was a glass of wine, from which he slowly sipped, looking at the newly arrived guests. His arrogant gaze was indifferent.

When he set the glass aside, both girls noticed that there was a tattoo on his forearm. They saw a pattern that, for some reason, was called a wind rose with a kind of anchor.

Later Zira asked her father what it was and Phelan explained that it was called a tattoo, a drawing on the body. Phelan's explanations on what this wind rose were Nialeeka didn't listen, although Zira listened so carefully as if her life depended on it. For some reason, people believed that such a tattoo provides good luck in distant journeys.

Before Phelan could introduce his family, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Master Lourens, you... Oh, you have guests."

Dunlop walked up and nodded in greeting. He immediately went to Lourens, but before he could say anything, Lourens stopped him with a slight gesture of his hand. Dunlop obediently stood next to his master.

"Phelan, no need," he said with a smile, setting his glass aside.

Lourens got up, walked around the long table, and came over to the guests.

“Attyon and Raden," he said, looking at the brothers. "I heard that you want to go with your father on this expedition."

“Yes, sir,” they nodded. “We know everything that our father knows. We could be of great help on the spot.”

“It seems to me that this is a reasonable decision.”

Lourens glanced at his partner.

Phelan did everything possible so as not to change his expression. He didn't agree with his sons. Phelan didn't want to endanger them. But sometime this will happen anyway, so he reluctantly agreed.

"They are real warriors."

The brothers shone. They didn't dream that the father would agree.

Lourens turned his gaze to the girls standing nearby. He slowly examined them, then narrowed his eyes and smiled. Nialeeka was trembling with this smile, and Zira took it as a challenge.

"I heard about you," he said.

Lourens crouched down to look into her eyes.

“Are you Nialeeka and Syrah?”

"Zira," the girl interrupted him softly, defiantly.

"Zira," he repeated with a smile. "You are two girls who managed to buy goods from poor Dunlop so that he owes you now."

Lourens laughed at his words.

"You are so smart. You'll rise high.”

He began to praise them so much that Nialeeka was slightly taken aback. Where did his keen glance go? Why such a cordiality? Is he not angry at all that Zira has fooled his people?

"But what will you do when people understand how you do business? How you rob them. How you leave them no way out."

Lourens looked from Zira to Nialeeka and back. He enjoyed seeing glimpses of understanding in the eyes of the girls.

"I don't care about your deals with my subordinate. I want to give you a little advice out of kindness."

His gaze finally settled on Zira.

“Fooled a man once - a shame on him. Agree?" Lourens waited for her to nod before continuing. "Good girl. But you have to remember; this person will beware of you. You reveal the cards early. Don't rob him blind. Let him owe you. Leave the customer happy to come to you again." He paused and said: "Useless lass.”

Lourens watched Zira turn crimson silently. She looked at him as if she wanted to scratch the face of her opponent at least.

But, we must pay tribute to Zira, she restrained herself. She used all her endurance but restrained herself. That man reprimanded her like a naughty child, and she couldn't do anything.

However, Zira understood that he was right. Her joy from a fleeting morning victory faded a little, but she remembered his words.

Even many years later, when they became rightful partners and led their merchant fleet to all sides of the world, they maintained such a relationship. She glared daggers, and he called her a "useless lass." Everyone around them considered them to be the closest people, but first of all, they were opponents. Nobody wanted to give up, because whoever gave way first lost.

Then again, people scurried around, Phelan and Lawrence gave orders to their people. The day went on.

Zira sat there silently and motionless. Her brothers and father didn't hear what Lourens had told her, but she flatly refused to speak. Nialeeka also shook her head, seeing their eyes.

If Zira herself wants to talk about it, she will let you know.

Nialeeka chose to stay next to her friend. A little earlier, she told Phelan about the missing Camil. He ordered his people to begin the search.

The boy didn't have time to escape. He couldn't be too far. So a little bit later with the help of Lourens' people, the boy was found. He was hiding in one of the boats, which was heading to a ship anchored on the river.

Raden and Attyon decided to go there too. Settling not to separate, Nialeeka also went after them. Zira remained at the top of the hill, tirelessly watching the man who had so cruelly scolded her. To him everything was nothing and, Nialeeka thought, he even somewhat... enjoyed her evil gaze.

She ran down the stone staircase. It was hard to keep up with the brothers; they ran fast. By the time she went down that long staircase, they were already following the people who led them to the berths.

“Attyon! Raden! Wait!”

Nialeeka tried to shout to the brothers, but they didn't hear her at all. The voice of Raden faintly reached her; he was busy describing what he would do with the little boy as soon as he caught Camil. Attyon went after his brother, apparently to stop him so that Raden won't do stupid things.

They boarded the boat and went to that vessel in the distance, where Camil was.

Nialeeka could only watch from the shore. She found a place higher to see more.

It was shallow right in front of the quays, so the people of Stais used boats to communicate with the ships. Larger vessels stood on the river, which flows in the distance. At that moment there are anchored several two-masted ships. Their sails were folded, but there was no peace on board.

Raden and Attyon could not wait for them to get to the boat. They believed that the small boat was stopped in this impassable swamp when an order came to search for the boy. However, it turned out that the loaders sailed to their destination, in order not to lose time. They decided to leave the cargo and drop Camil ashore later. The team didn't care about him, so when they were busy transferring the cargo, Camil managed to get into the ship.

It was unknown whether the boy was lucky or not, but it was Sylben's ship. The one that he brought to Odiern with Phelan about four years ago. The warriors of Silben and the crew of Lourens were on the boat now. For the sake of a common goal, they suppressed conflicts and worked together.

Before Raden arrived on the ship, no one knew about the missing boy, and who cares.

As soon as Raden stepped aboard, he began to search for the boy throughout the ship. Attyon patiently led everyone up to date, and the search began again. However, they were unsuccessful.

Camil disappeared without a trace.

Raden was ready to rave and storm.

“We had to turn around and throw him on the shore immediately! Damn boy! Let me catch you! Attyon, all of you! It's you suggested me to give him a chance! Just wait, I'll..!"

People cast sympathetic glances at Attyon. It was not clear just because of what. Because of a furious brother or because of a lost boy?

The roar of Raden reached heaven.

And heaven was unhappy.

Something fell on his head. Those who were not busy with a vital matter turned to Raden.

Attyon looked at the broken telescope, which he often saw on this ship in Silben’s hands and then looked up.

"Oh, please, no...”

People followed his gaze and looked up. Someone gasped, someone immediately rushed to the masts, but nothing could be done.

As soon as Attyon looked up, the boy had already fallen.

“Watch out!”

There was a scream.

Then something fell on the deck with a hard sound.