There’s a vast and shallow sky that stretches across from the Temari plains to Kvil. Firesharks and Rjakkuns prowl the waters, eager to grab anyone that strays from the mazy stretch of islands that form a semi-navigable line.

The brothers Traje and Orn guided their three boat caravan between the outer islands surrounding Kvil. The warm waters that greeted those arriving in Temari were a distant memory. Long furs covered the frames of Traje and Orn, masking strong, squat bodies. Often confused as Temari, the brothers were from a small, sea faring tribe on the outskirts of the plains. Blood intermingled with the Temari, but seeing them out in the water people understood it wasn’t dominant. No Temari stepped into the ocean to do anything but die. A fearsome group of warriors, but hearts and legs for land.

The soft notes of a wooden flute flowed between the three groups—a practical way to keep the Rjakkuns from swimming behind them for long. Without pulling out serious weaponry, nothing could be done for Firesharks, Maikos, or Onklons. Traje knew that if you’d gotten to that point, you might as well jump into the water because you’d already lost. The clever guide didn’t lead their people with weapons alone.

The three moons toiled overhead in the afternoon sun. Two twins and a smaller sister, Orn imagined the smallest one to be mouthy. Younger siblings were like that, he thought, looking over at Traje chide a rower. Still, they had their uses, he supposed. Orn wouldn’t have found the isles map without Traje. Or had to kill an entire inn to keep it secret, but blood’s the price of good business.

A call went up from the rear of the caravan. Orn looked at his brother and nodded at the back of the ship they were on. Traje shook his head and shouted, “What’s the call?”

“Ship to the south! High red colors!”

“It’s a Djerta ship. Has to be running the reds like that,” Orn said as he scanned the horizon. Big ships had problems navigating the archipelago, but Djerta ships were famous for their low hulls. It remained a favorite of pirates and smugglers even after Kvil outlawed their use. Nothing could catch them in the channels, so the heavy warships gave up. Leaving those who traveled the islands to fend for themselves or pray that nature blew foul winds upon those outlawed sails.