An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

As night fell, Warrick sat motionless in his room as he tried to calm his mind through meditation. He had always been able to clear his mind with ease. But tonight, no matter how hard he tried, focus eluded him. A restless unease settled over him and refused to let him relax.

Nearly two hours passed before Mulder’s scouts finally returned. This time, they brought good news.

The smuggling route they had scouted was completely safe, with no signs of an ambush. The West Lucozia army had yet to discover this potential escape route.

Once everything was confirmed, Mulder let out a breath of relief. Warrick, too, finally felt the weight lift from his chest.

“Since the route is safe, we should set out immediately to avoid any unexpected complications.” Warrick said.

He had no intention of waiting any longer. He was a wanted man, and every moment in West Lucozia increased his chances of capture.

There was no telling when the army might surround him. Only by escaping to Thaloria would he be truly safe.

“Pack up. We’re leaving now.” Mulder wasted no time.

After a quick disguise, the group set out.

The countryside was quiet, and their plain van blended in as it rumbled down the road. After about an hour, they reached a fork where the road ended.

“There’s a narrow path ahead. The van can’t go any further we’ll have to walk from here.”

moved swiftly along the narrow path and reached the smuggling dock

a small dock scattered with over a dozen fishing boats. At first glance, it looked like nothing more than

one, where a dim

the smuggling route you were talking about?” Warrick frowned the moment he

none were longer than 25 feet. They might be fine for a short

weather, a boat this size wouldn’t stand a chance-it would be torn apart by the

to becoming an ultimate grandmaster wouldn’t save Warrick if he got thrown into the sea. He couldn’t figure out whether Mulder was a fool or if

“Of course, I know these fishing boats can’t

Thaloria on

plan?” Warrick’s frown

boats are just for the first leg of the trip. About 30 miles out, the Hall of Gods has a luxury ship waiting -that’s

it is. You nearly had me thinking you’d lost

of relief, chiding himself of course, Mulder wasn’t the type to make such an

wouldn’t have pulled a stunt like this,”

the perfect cover. A larger vessel would only attract attention and invite trouble. To be

and there’s no ambush. It’s all

he finally led Warrick forward. Under the

set sail now, “Mulder said

the deck, legs crossed, didn’t react. He looked