Going South

In May 1038, the Weissen Daily suddenly ran seven lengthy travelogues over the course of seven days: "Grand Duke Wessen and the Magic Map," "Grand Duke Wessen and the Hidden Chamber," "Grand Duke Wessen and the Prisoner of the Sea," "Grand Duke Wessen and the Fire Ants," "Grand Duke Wessen and the Brick Society," "Grand Duke Wessen and the Half-Blood Princess," and "Grand Duke Wessen and the Death Treasure."

The travelogues spun an elaborate tale of how Frederick discovered an ancient magic treasure map, found the hidden chamber where the real map was kept, and uncovered clues left by someone who guarded a secret in the vast ocean. He then traveled to a land inhabited by ants the color of fire, where he encountered an organization called the "Brick Society" and became involved with a half-blood princess under mysterious circumstances. Finally, he discovered the Death Treasure, which contained vast quantities of gold.

At a teahouse, a group of merchants in the food and catering businesses discussed Grand Duke Wessen and the treasure.

The story about the magic map had drawn little attention, since the object itself was so small, and the person who had donated it used an alias. People felt there was no way to verify the tale.

But someone said, "I think the map might have something to do with the Meyers. There was only a brief news item about them returning from the Kingdom of Angland to report to Grand Duke Wessen on the coal mine."

"Remember? They went south afterward, and Grand Duke Wessen's fleet went south, too."

"So I suspect the Meyers happened to find the map while they were in the Kingdom of Angland, then gave it to Grand Duke Wessen after they returned."

Everyone thought the theory made sense. The Meyers had suddenly