Chapter 123 - Shadows in the Light
The massive ship carrying Tiriki finally entered the coastal waters of Nuri. But before they could even glimpse the dock, a colossal vessel bearing the flag of Nuri cut across their path. Its sails billowed with authority, its hull dark and imposing—its sheer size and pristine condition made it look more like a floating fortress than a mere naval ship.
Gasps rippled across the deck of the merchant ship. Sailors and merchants alike gathered at the rails, their eyes wide with awe—and fear.
"Is that... a warship?" one whispered.
"It’s flying the Nuri flag," another murmured. "What now?"
Fawzi, the grizzled merchant leader, clicked his tongue in frustration and stomped toward Tiriki, who stood calmly at the bow.
"Hey!" Fawzi hissed. "We’ve got company. Probably the navy. Isn’t this your shipment? How do you expect us to get past them, huh?"
Tiriki didn’t flinch. "Leave it to me. I’ll handle the negotiations."
Fawzi scoffed. "You better. I didn’t come all this way to be sunk in sight of land."
As the Nuri warship pulled alongside them, the crew on both sides sprang into motion. Nuri soldiers—disciplined, armed, and dressed in navy-blue uniforms with golden trim—lined the deck, watching the merchant vessel like hawks. Their ship’s figurehead, shaped like a roaring lion with glowing eyes, seemed to stare straight into the souls of those on board.