Sela was interrupted by Theo.

'And you want us to......Pphh........Beasts from the sea?' Theo 

scoffed out loud, 'Do you hear yourself? No time to be pulling my 

leg.........'

Sela started undressing quickly without a word,

 

'Dena! have you ever seen this before?' he pointed to the scar on 

his upper abdomen.

 

Dena nodded in agreement with his voice hardly coming out as 

he knew that his brother was telling the truth and had seen it in his 

eyes.

Theo seemed like he was in a trauma, he did not say a word as 

Sela pulled his robes back on and continued,

 

'Father assumed he might find something about these beasts in 

the elder texts about these sea creatures back in Anmara. We had 

to inform king Durian and secure our ports. Prince Arden assured 

us that they could handle those beasts with their forces, so we 

returned and promised king Aiden that Anmara would be willing 

to assist if needed…'

 

Theo raised his hand gesturing Sela to stop,

 

'Was the king....' Theo took a deep breath, 'My father, aware of 

this when he sent me here?' His voice never more disheartened.

 

'Sire, king Durian had no choice.We have to help each other out 

in times like this. It is your father's responsibility to ensure peace in

all three isles.' Sela reasoned with Theo, but Theo had his head 

down and no one could see what his feelings were.

'Why me?' he replied in a disappointed tone.

'You are the prince of Anmara sire. You are the heir to Anmara's 

throne, it is as much your burden,' Sela reminded in a strong tone.

'So, they just sent me out here to die?' Theo looked up into Sela's 

eyes, glaring.

 

'We are all here to protect you sire. We have thousands of men 

following us, which reminds me before I miss something.' Sela let out 

air and took a deep breath, 

'We did not have any sightings in Anmara 

so far, but on our journey here, it seemed like we were followed and 

some of our men went missing. I am not entirely sure, but I felt like I 

saw something in the woods that night......'

 

'Wait............the night you woke me up?' Theo jumped out of 

the chair with a dreaded look.

'I could not see clearly in the dark so I cannot assure but it might 

have been.... It was all so startling, I did not know what to do but

whatever it was, it did not attack, and I did not want to provoke it. It 

did not follow me back to the camp or show itself again.'

 

'Is that where our men went?' Dena was trying to keep it in all 

this while as Sela was trying to quickly get through to Theo. But he 

couldn't wait anymore,he was quite anxious for the missing men.

 

'I am not absolutely sure, but I didn't want to take any 

chances. So, I made changes, and I could say it worked as the only 

ship that was supposed to reach Gini yesterday did not make it, 

which is quite worrisome.' Sela replied in a very low voice.

 

'Are you saying what I think you are saying….... the ship?' Theo 

dropped into the chair with his hands covering his face trying to 

ingest everything. He was at loss for words, imagining what would 

have happened if they had not taken a varied route.

 

No one spoke for a while as they were evaluating the situation, 

the silence was deadlier.

 

'Did my mother?' Theo broke the calm.

'No sire, the queen wasn't aware of any of this,' Sela assured.

'What now?' Theo asked slowly, he had never felt so lightheaded 

without a drink before.

 

'I assumed they were attacking the ports for food from the start 

but, it does not seem so now, maybe there is something more to this.'

 

'I wasn't talking about that;' Theo yelled frustrated, 'What do we 

do now? When do we leave for Anmara?' He was never this furious.

'Sire.........'

'Not a word from you henceforth. I never could have fathomed 

that you would betray me and Dena so,' Theo walked closer to Sela, 

'Leave us this instant!'

Sela looked at Dena helplessly and left. Theo had a seat shaking 

his head like the world was falling apart.

'Let us not be hasty now, kindly take a moment to think this 

through. We are here to protect you. Do not make any rash decisions, 

a lot is at stake here.' Dena quickly took a seat beside Theo, he had 

thought it through, 

'We must be cautious before considering 

leaving. King Aiden, prince Arden and Pavo are aware of the fact 

that you did not know of the fyredari, and prince Arden 

disregards help from Anmara, this will only make it worse. Your 

reputation precedes you and you will be giving Deladra a chance to 

raise a finger against your capabilities.'

There was a long pause as Dena waited for Theo to evaluate.

 

'Dena is right, they will assume I fled in fear. It would be disgraceful, 

beasts. They will have me to thank in the end for restoring Deladra's ports.'

'I have reconsidered,' Theo spoke as he rose from his chair after 

a long pause, 'Staying put for now may be the right way to go,' he put 

up a faint smile on his face but was dreaded within.

 

Kaleo was approached by a guard, 

'There is a swordsman at the gateway requesting your time sire. 

He says it is imperative that it be now.'

'Swordsman?' Kaleo paused for a moment. 'Lead the way.' he 

ordered.

They quickly made their way to meet this person.

'Am I in the presence of chief advisor Kaleo?' Enai confirmed.

'Yes, it is me,' Kaleo assured.

'Note from your son sire' Enai handed him the note with a sigh 

of relief, 'I kindly request your leave for now,' he smiled faintly with 

deadly tiredness resonating in his voice, and turned around once he 

got a nod from Kaleo.

Kaleo opened the note eagerly as Enai left.

'I must see the king now' he hurried off and sent in a guard.

 

King Durian was just about to retire for the day.

'Spare me sire, chief advisor Kaleo is here to see you,' the guard 

announced.

As king Durian walked towards the door,

'At this hour?' queen Visi enquired.

 

'Rest my love, do not bother yourself. I will be back in a 

moment,' Durian gestured for the doors be closed behind him.

Kaleo and Durian walked away.

'I have just received the message from Sela sire,' Kaleo looked 

around to make sure no one else was present. 

'They must have reached Menore by now and prince Theoden appears to be safe, 

but I am afraid there is more. Sela mentions they were tailed and suggests 

we secure the coasts. There was something about disappearances but 

am not entirely aware of what it might mean for now but will find out 

soon.' Kaleo reported looking at Durian a bit worried.

'Do you think it is possible? We have not had any sightings on 

our shores so far but if what Sela mentions is true, we better be alert.' 

Durian sighed. 'It would not hurt to stay cautious and dispatch troops 

to the borders,' he added. 'We shall discuss it tomorrow.'

 

Durian turned around and then stopped for a moment, 'Theo?'

 

'Rest assured; the prince is in capable hands sire, we will be 

receiving word from Menore soon,' Kaleo assured.

Durian did not believe in burdening oneself. He was concerned 

for Theo, but his thoughts would not make a difference. He took the 

decision of sending him away and hoped for the best. He returned to 

his chambers as calm as ever.

 

'Back my lord?' queen Visi was still awake. She had been more 

attentive since Theo had left and grew anxious for any news with 

every passing day.

 

'Something about a theft down in the city,' Durian lied. 'Nothing 

to burden yourself with, we will have to step up the guard. Go to sleep 

my queen,' he said softly.

 

'Spare me my lord, cannot help but hope of hearing about Theo,' 

she looked into his eyes.

'We should soon hear something, I believe,' he placed his hand 

on hers, 'You should get some shut eye now.'

She smiled and closed her eyes. Durian laid back beside her and 

looked at her beautiful face,

 

'Forgive me Visi for I have been lying to you. We have never had secrets 

your love might make him weak,' he sighed as he closed his eyes and a 

tear rolled out.