Chapter 2: 2. Chapter 2: The Three Takaya Siblings

Chapter 2: The Three Takaia Siblings

The *Cold Winter* sailed across the Great Ocean, shrouded in mist. Its black square sails were stretched to their limit, snapping loudly in the wind. The crew, dressed in tattered, thick leather kaftans, scrubbed the deck diligently while the boatswain brandished a long whip and barked orders, his eyes filled with malice. Meanwhile, the soldiers conducted their morning drills under the leadership of Centurion Edmund.

Captain Dastan Cold-Eye was at the helm. Seeing Dakuus walking onto the deck with a halberd slung over his shoulder, he quickly signaled for his first mate to take over the wheel.

The captain and the centurion walked to within two sword-lengths of Dakuus, bowed their heads, and said, "Good morning, My Lord, Young Master."

Dakuus sized up the captain, thinking to himself, "Dastan Cold-Eye? The one who made a bet with Lokhir Fellheart and lost his third Black Ark in the Clawed Sea? He’s a legend in his own right, though currently just a low-tier captain."

Dakuus waved a hand at Edmund, signaling him to continue the training, then spoke slowly: "Morning, Captain. How much longer until we reach the Kingdom of Chrace?"

Dastan Cold-Eye answered without hesitation, "Young Master, we will arrive at the Kingdom of Chrace tomorrow." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Young Master, we encountered a warship bearing the crest of the Kingdom of Yvresse last night. We used the cover of darkness and the mist to shake them off."

Ulthuan was like a toilet seat, composed of ten kingdoms forming an outer and inner ring. The coast of the outer ring met the Great Ocean, while the lands of the inner ring surrounded the Inner Sea. Endless circular mountain ranges stood between the outer and inner rings, impassable save for a few specific mountain paths and tunnels, where massive fortresses stood guard. Dakuus’s first destination was the outer ring of Ulthuan, the northern Kingdom of Chrace, while the Kingdom of Yvresse lay to the east of the outer ring.

Dakuus paused for a moment, asking in confusion, "A warship from Yvresse? Appearing in Chracean waters?"

"Yes, Young Master."

"Do you come here often?"

Dastan Cold-Eye lifted his head proudly. "Yes, Young Master. No Druchii is more familiar with the waters of Ulthuan than I am. I often transport spies across."

Dakuus suddenly recalled a saying from his past life: to get ahead, one must possess a unique skill. He nodded and offered a compliment: "Impressive. You may return to your duties."

Dastan Cold-Eye bowed and prepared to withdraw, but Dakuus asked again, "Do you know what year of the Imperial Calendar it is?"

"Young Master, it is the year 2008."

Dakuus stood stunned for a moment, thinking, "Good grief! I’m still a 'post-90s' kid in this life. But if I’m lucky this time, I might be able to survive for another five hundred and fifty years."

Dakuus walked to the edge of the deck and leaned against the railing, looking at the Reaper Bolt Throwers wrapped in canvas, then out at the thick mist surrounding the ship. The summer monsoon brushed against his face, and strands of black hair fluttered in the wind.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Dakuus turned to see three figures approaching, stopping at the standard Cothique distance of two sword-lengths.

The eldest of the Takaia family, Phranes, wore a set of old, articulated plate armor forged from black steel. He was tall and burly, possessing the standard face of a Druchii noble, his expression etched with ruthlessness. His thick, lustrous black hair complemented his reserved and quiet demeanor. Around his neck hung a *hadricka* with the White Lion crest—outdated and gaudy, it contrasted sharply with the age of his armor.

The second brother, Rane, was the complete opposite. He wore a beautifully crafted set of black steel articulated plate armor adorned with polished gilding. He looked much like his brother, as if cast from the same mold, but carried an air of restlessness and flamboyance.

The youngest, Alissa, wore a tight-fitting black silk dress with a violet cloak draped over her left shoulder. She wore a spiked coronet, her black hair cascading over her right shoulder, and her captivating amber eyes shone like those of an untamed leopard. In her hand, she held a staff coiled with a golden snake. The snake’s mouth was wide open, clutching a large emerald gemstone.

The three siblings bowed and said in unison, "Good morning, My Lord."

"Morning. We’ll reach the Chracean coastline tomorrow. Would you mind telling me about the White Lion trials?"

Phranes glanced at Rane, who understood and spoke up: "My Lord, our Takaia family hailed from the Kingdom of Chrace before the Great Schism. To be worthy of this surname, a family member must return to the Kingdom of Chrace, hunt and kill a White Lion, and leave these lands with its pelt. Of course, killing the White Lion lackeys of the False King proves one's worth even more."

Dakuus remembered his cousin telling him before they set off that the Takaia family was one of the first in Chrace to recognize Malekith as the rightful Phoenix King. When Caledor was hunting in Chrace and learned that he would become the next False King, he immediately set out for the Shrine of Asuryan, only to be intercepted on the road by Druchii assassins led by the Takaia family. If not for a group of Chracean woodcutters rushing out of the forest to protect Caledor, the Takaia family would have succeeded. Afterward, those woodcutters became the lackeys of the False King, bringing shame upon Chrace, and the White Lion lackeys drove the Takaia family out of the kingdom.

When the three siblings were in their twenties, their parents died at the hands of Khaine assassins, and they were taken in by an uncle. But that uncle suffered from severe mania. In desperation, the three siblings killed him one night when they were in their fifties. They were then taken in by another uncle, Kulon, who had offered to adopt them while their parents were still alive, though their father had refused. Compared to their father, Kulon had long ago realized that his nephew and niece were highly charismatic and talented.

Kulon used his limited sovereigns to provide the brothers with a superior noble education and sent Alissa to the Tower of Oblivion to learn to manipulate the Winds of Ghur. The three siblings were now over a hundred and ten years old. The youngest, Alissa, had just completed the twelve brutal trials of the Tower of Oblivion and graduated as a Beast-lore Sorceress. Kulon had followed Dakuus’s elders on a Black Ark raid and had yet to return. Unable to maintain their ancestral home, the three Takaia siblings had been called upon by Dakuus’s cousin to assist. In short, they were "their own people."

Dakuus had no desire to go bushwhacking. He shrugged and said, "I wish you success. It’s time for training." With that, he shouldered his halberd and walked toward the soldiers to begin his warm-up.

The three siblings exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Dakuus sparred with Centurion Edmund, practicing movement, coordination, reach, and distance. Although Dakuus was only sixteen—barely reaching adulthood—years of noble training had made him highly proficient with various standard Druchii weapons.

No one mentioned the incident of falling into the sea, and no one dared to.

(End of chapter)