The White Ship was sailing calmly after days of maneuvering among the rocks and surviving the pursuit of Trunks' soldiers. The crew was starting to catch their breath, mending sails, and restocking supplies. But Linus wasn't at ease.
He sat on the prow of the ship, staring at the horizon, and said to Romulus:
"The further we get from danger, the closer I feel it."
"Because the sea doesn't forget those who aspire to the throne," Romulus replied, consulting the maps. "Every step we take arouses those who watch us."
*
At midday, a small merchant vessel approached their ship, flying a neutral flag. Callias stopped it, and a sailor climbed onto the White Ship's deck, bringing news from the ports.
"Are you from Linus's crew?" the sailor gasped.
"Yes," Darius answered cautiously. "What do you want?"
The man said, "I have brought a message from the port of Crete. News is spreading fast… French Marshal de Mauret has arrived in Athens."
Everyone froze.
Linus said sharply, "De Mauret? The French naval commander? What is he doing in Athens?"
The sailor replied, "He came with a full fleet, negotiating with the provisional government. They say he's offering sea protection in exchange for trade privileges and a permanent port."
*
A heavy silence fell.
Romulus stared at Linus, "This means that Athens is no longer alone. Foreign powers are beginning to move."
Linus replied in a deep voice, "And this means that the path to the throne is no longer just a struggle with pirates… but with nations."
*
That night, the crew gathered around the small fire on the deck.
"France?" Callias said, pounding the ground with his fist.
"Do we need to confront a European fleet now?" Darius replied, "If Athens allies with De Mauret, we may have no place there."
But Linus remained silent, then said, "De Mauret doesn't come to protect anyone. He's a man who knows how to cultivate his influence and make others dependent on him. If he controls the sea, Athens will have no independent decision... and we will have no way out."
*
Romulus approached and said,
- "Then what should we do?"
Linus replied,
- "We need to reach Athens before its gates close. We need to prove that we are not just a crew, but a force worthy of being heard."
*
The next day, they sailed quickly south, passing small islands, avoiding merchant ships, and gathering news from every port.
On one of the islands, Linus met an old man who had previously served in the Athenian navy.
The man said, "De Maurier doesn't negotiate... he plans. If they grant him a port in Athens, he'll have an eye on every ship, every trade, and every decision." Linus replied, "That means Athens will become a hostage of the French sea." The man, staring at him, said, "If you want to protect Athens... you must arrive before you are sold."
*
That night, Linus stood on the prow of the ship, staring up at the stars, and said in a low voice, "Father... I'm no longer facing just pirates. Now I'm facing men dressed in gold who speak the language of the Alliance. But I will arrive... and I will make my voice heard."