Theus and the prince walked out of the house together. Under everyone's watchful eyes, they paused, then extended their right hands and shook. The expressions on both their faces were somewhat strange.
A few hours earlier.
After confirming that there were no further dangers, Theus came ashore from the sea.
The banshees put away their weapons. The late-arriving ironclad carried quite a number of Faithguard Army soldiers, but at Theus's signal, they did not disembark immediately.
The Harbor Guard looked at the ironclad docked at the harbor, then turned to look at the prince—all those present looked at him.
In theory, this was his territory. Leading troops onto another lord's land without invitation was an extremely offensive act and could even serve as grounds for war.
Especially since the Duchy of Tis and Castel had no alliance to speak of, and the prince certainly had not invited Theus to send people here.
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
The Harbor Guard held their weapons, unsure who to point them at, while the Banshees stood where they were, clustered around Theus and casting cold looks in their direction.
The prince stepped forward.
His party had originally arrived on horseback, but nearly all the livestock in Blood Port had been killed by [Loving Mother]'s threads. Without a mount, he could only walk across his own land on two legs.
Both the Harbor Guard and the Faithguard Army made way for him.
Theus watched this legendary Grand Duke of Tis with considerable interest as well.
He was not particularly tall or powerfully built, yet he held his head high and chest out, with not the slightest hint of dejection on his face. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought he was the one who had won the battle.
"Count Theus, master of the