Three weeks after Senna's trial, Shadowhaven's population had grown to three hundred and twelve. The expansion was proceeding well—new buildings rose daily, the western outpost's foundation had been laid, and the settlement felt increasingly permanent.
Then Kael's scouts spotted the Imperial ship.
"Single vessel, flying Imperial colors," Kael reported during the emergency meeting. "Small—looks like a scout ship, not a warship. They're anchored about five miles north, on the far side of one of the uninhabited islands. They haven't approached directly, but they're definitely surveying the area."
"How long have they been there?" Elion asked.
"We spotted them this morning, but based on their anchor's condition, they've been there at least a day, maybe two. They've sent small boats to several islands, taking measurements, making observations."
Mira spread out a map. "They're surveying the archipelago systematically. Eventually, they'll reach our island. Question is—do we wait for them to find us, or do we make contact first?"
"Making contact shows we have nothing to hide," Helena argued. "Hiding makes us look guilty."
"We are guilty," Thomas pointed out. "Elion defected with Imperial citizens. That's treason by their laws."
"Then we need to control the narrative," Mira said. "If they're going to find us anyway, we approach on our terms, from a position of strength."
Elion considered. The Imperial scout ship was small enough that his shadow army could overwhelm it if necessary. But violence would bring more Imperial attention, potentially a full military response. Better to handle this diplomatically if possible.
"We make contact," he decided. "But carefully. I'll take a small delegation—Mira, Kael, and twenty shadow soldiers. Enough to show strength, not so many it looks like we're preparing for battle."
"And what do we tell them?" Kael asked.
"The truth, mostly. That we've established an independent settlement in unclaimed territory. That we're not a threat to the Empire. That we simply want to be left alone."
"They won't accept that."
"Probably not. But it's better than the alternatives."
They departed at midday in one of their boats, shadow soldiers swimming alongside beneath the surface. As they approached the Imperial ship, Elion got a better look. It was indeed a scout vessel—sleek, fast, designed for exploration and intelligence gathering rather than combat. Maybe thirty crew members at most.
Imperial sailors watched their approach with weapons ready but not drawn. An officer stood at the rail—a woman in her forties with the bearing of experienced military leadership.
"That's close enough," she called out when they were twenty yards away. "State your business."
"I'm Elion Crestfall, leader of the Shadowhaven settlement on the neighboring island. We noticed your ship and wanted to extend peaceful greetings."
The officer's eyes widened slightly at his name. "Elion Crestfall. The baron who abandoned his post and fled Imperial territory with over two hundred citizens. There's a warrant for your arrest."
"I prefer to think of it as relocating with willing volunteers to unclaimed lands," Elion replied calmly. "But yes, I'm that Crestfall. And you are?"
"Commander Lyra Thane, Imperial Survey Corps." She studied him carefully. "You're either very brave or very foolish to approach an Imperial vessel."
"Hopefully brave. I came to clarify our situation before rumors and misunderstandings create unnecessary conflict."
"Unnecessary conflict?" Commander Thane laughed without humor. "You committed treason. You stole Imperial property—the people you took were Imperial citizens. The Empire doesn't negotiate with traitors."
"Those people chose to come. I forced no one. And we're beyond Imperial territorial waters, in a region the Empire has never claimed. We've established an independent settlement in accordance with international maritime law."
"There's no such thing as international maritime law in these waters. The Empire's law is the only law that matters."
"With respect, Commander, the Storm Shark Tribe, the Coral Court, and the Deepcurrent Clan might disagree. This region has established powers that predate the Empire by millennia. We've made treaties with them, been recognized by them. Shadowhaven is legitimate by their standards."
Commander Thane's expression shifted slightly—calculation replacing simple hostility. "You've allied with the native powers?"
"We have. We're part of the regional balance now, not invaders disrupting it."
For a long moment, the commander was silent. When she spoke again, her tone had changed. "I'm going to be honest with you, Baron Crestfall. My orders were to locate you, assess your settlement's strength, and report back. What happens after that isn't my decision—that comes from the capital, probably from the Emperor himself."
"But you have some discretion in what you report."
"Some. And what I report will be influenced by what I see." She gestured at the shadow soldiers visible beneath the water's surface. "Those are your famous shadow soldiers? The ones that killed an Abyssal Devourer?"
"They are."
"Impressive. Disturbing, but impressive." Commander Thane leaned on the rail. "Here's my situation, Baron. The Empire is overextended. The Purity Laws have created massive internal unrest. We're dealing with resistance movements in three provinces, trade disruptions, and increasing desertion rates among the military. The last thing the high command wants is another conflict, especially one in distant waters against an enemy that's proven dangerous."
"So you're saying...?"
"I'm saying that if my report describes a minor settlement of refugees barely surviving in hostile territory, struggling with resources and unlikely to last another year, then the Empire might decide you're not worth the trouble of a military expedition." Commander Thane's eyes were sharp. "But if my report describes a thriving settlement with powerful allies and military capability, then you become a threat that must be addressed."
Elion understood immediately. She was offering him a deal—appear weak in her report, and the Empire might leave them alone.
"What do you get out of this?" he asked.
"Not having to participate in another pointless military action against desperate people. I've served the Empire for twenty-three years, Baron. I've seen us do terrible things in the name of order and purity. If I can avoid contributing to that, I will."
"You could desert, like Senna did."
"Captain Vex is here?" Commander Thane looked surprised. "Interesting. No, I won't desert. I have family in the capital—desertion would endanger them. But I can be... selective in my reporting."
It was a risk. Commander Thane could be lying, setting them up for an ambush. But her words had the ring of truth, and her body language suggested genuine weariness with Imperial policy.
"If you visit the settlement," Elion said carefully, "you'll see we're doing reasonably well. But we face constant challenges—storms damage our buildings, food is always uncertain, and we're surrounded by dangerous creatures. A settlement can look impressive and still be fragile."
"I'm sure that's accurate." Commander Thane smiled slightly. "I'll need to conduct a brief inspection—for my report to be credible. An hour or two should suffice. And perhaps a conversation about regional politics, to understand the bigger picture."
"We'd be happy to host you. Under flag of truce, of course."
"Of course."
Two hours later, Commander Thane walked through Shadowhaven with Elion, Mira, and a small honor guard. The settlement had been carefully prepared—they'd emphasized the damaged buildings, the temporary structures, the signs of struggle. True enough, but presented in a way that suggested fragility rather than resilience.
"How many people?" the commander asked.
"Just over three hundred now. We started with two hundred and forty-seven, but we've taken in refugees."
"And food supplies?"
"We supplement through fishing and hunting. It's adequate but not abundant. One bad season would create serious problems."
Commander Thane took notes, asked questions, examined the defenses. She spoke briefly with Naia, confirming the Coral Court alliance. She observed the shadow soldiers, counting their numbers.
Finally, they returned to the harbor. "Thank you for the tour, Baron Crestfall. Very... illuminating."
"What will your report say?"
"The truth, as I understand it. That Shadowhaven is a small settlement of refugees in unclaimed territory, facing significant challenges but currently stable. That you've established local alliances that would complicate military action. That the cost of subduing you would likely exceed any benefit the Empire would gain." She paused. "I'll also note that you approached peacefully, showed courtesy, and demonstrated no hostile intent toward the Empire."
"Will that be enough?"
"I don't know. But it's the best I can offer." Commander Thane extended her hand. "Good luck, Baron. I hope you build something good here."
Elion shook her hand. "Thank you, Commander. I hope your service becomes less complicated."
"That's a generous hope, but unlikely." She turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. The Purity Laws are getting worse. More arrests, more deportations, more... disappearances. If you can accept refugees, word of Shadowhaven is spreading among those desperate to escape. You might see more arrivals in coming months."
"We'll do what we can."
"That's all anyone can do."
The Imperial scout ship departed that evening. As Elion watched it sail away, he felt cautiously optimistic. They'd gained breathing room—maybe months, maybe longer before the Empire made a final decision about Shadowhaven.
But Commander Thane's warning about more refugees troubled him. They were already at capacity. How many more could they accept before the settlement collapsed under its own weight?
"We need to accelerate the western outpost," Mira said, reading his thoughts. "And start seriously surveying other islands for settlement. If refugees keep coming, we need somewhere to put them."
"Agreed. Tomorrow, we organize a full island survey expedition. Time to understand what else this archipelago has to offer."
That night brought another surprise. One of the shadow scouts reported unusual activity in the jungle—lights moving where no settlement existed, voices speaking in an unknown language.
"We're not alone on this island," the scout reported. "There's someone else here. And they've been watching us."