Two Moon Bay glittered in the late afternoon sun. Twin crescent beaches of white sand, joined at the tip, stretched along the coastal town of Kerellon. Broad, paved avenues offered ample strolling room for locals and tourists, who occasionally stopped at the shops built of beautiful local wood to buy souvenirs and knickknacks. Behind the stores were the stalls and inns, set on low grassed hills. Small farms and houses for the locals stretched away on the hillside behind the beach, dotted occasionally with the odd manor owned by a notable. Atop the tallest hill on the peninsula stood the spires of the Palace Kerellon, home to the Duke.

The southern end of South Moon Beach, the town's dock, was the more disreputable section of Kerellon. There lurked the thieves, the cut-throats, the crews of tramp frieghters who plied their oft-illicit trades.

A man in a short cloak stepped through the door of one of the dingy inns, the unfortunately-named Gentle Rest. Many commented that any rest you found there was sure not to be brought on gently, unless, of course, it was due to poison slipped into your drink.

The man took off his hat and stepped inside. It was at its usual noisy capacity. Characters of all descriptions seated at tables, intent on drink, conversation or cards. Some nodded to the cloaked man as he passed. He went to the bar, tipping generously for a watery ale. The bartender pointed to a booth by one wall of the inn. It was occupied by a single man, sitting in the darkness, a flagon of ale before him on the table.

The cloaked man went to the booth and sat opposite the man in darkness. "Yer goods have been hidden at this warehouse," the cloaked man said, passing a note across the table. The other man took it, studied it for a second, then dropped it into the flagon of ale. "I imagine yeh'll be needing them for a quick getaway."

"Perhaps," the other responded. "You've done well, Captain Gurvon. You will be paid a bonus above the fee to ship me here."

"Y' know, that's one thing me and the boys've been wonderin'," Gurvon said. "Yeh've reclaimed what's left of yer family's fortune, which, I might say, is still a quite substantial sum. I've even seen yeh makin' enquiries about buyin' a property hereabouts. Yeh really want revenge this badly?"

The other scowled. "Not that it's any of your business, Gurvon, but some things must be done."

"Whatever. 'S your money."

"Yes, it is," the other snapped, "And I'm paying you well not to ask questions."

"Fair 'nough," Gurvon said, shrugging. " 'F yeh need me services again, you know how to reach me." He got up and headed for the bar.

The other got up and left soon after. He stopped on a street corner and narrowed his eyes, looking up at the palace on the hill.

"Andrek! My word, how long has it been? Five years?"

Andrek Jevar smiled broadly. "Around that, Terrence! I'm glad to be back!"

The hallway of the Palace Kerellon was normally a grand study of arching architecture. Tonight, though, it had been decked in gala finery. The nobles of Kerellon and the nearby provinces had all come to celebrate the return of Duke Belam's eldest daughter, Keria.

"Oh, come off it, man," Terrence replied in a quieter tone. "I don't doubt you know what happened to your family in your absence by now. There'll be many guests wondering what you're planning to do here tonight."

Andrek's smile became strained. "Trust me, Terry, I don't have anything planned. I'm simply here to enjoy the gala with some old friends."

Terry raised an eyebrow. "I hope so, Andrek. But regardless, isn't it interesting that both you and your old flame return from your grand tours at the same time?"

The two men walked through the hallway and into the main ballroom, already milling with guests. A quartet was playing music, and many guests had already paired up on the dance floor.

"Very," Andrek replied. "Especially as I was so late myself. I didn't intend to be gone for more than a year or two! Unfortunately, circumstances didn't permit me to return until now."

The two had just reached one of the tables of food when a female voice rang out across the dance hall. "Andrek Jevar!"

The two men turned to look at the top of the staircase that led down from the balcony to the ballroom floor. There stood a tall, statuesque woman with flowing auburn hair in a spectacular ballroom dress. At either side of her were an old man and woman, he in a military dress uniform, she in a ballroom dress more regal than extravagant. On the woman's other side stood a younger blond woman, barely out of her teens. Pretty in her own right, she was subdued in both dress and manner.

"I should have guessed I'd find you at the dinner table," the auburn-haired woman said, walking down the stairs.

Andrek blushed. "Some things never change, my Lady Keria," he replied, to general laughter.

The herald took that moment to announce, "The Duke Belam and Duchess Marga, and their daughters, Keria and Sula!" The room erupted into applause as the family reached the bottom of the stairs.

"And some things, on the other hand, do, my Lord Andrek," Keria replied, still smiling. "You've grown well! You actually fill out your family's livery now!"

"Speak for yourself, Keria! You've gone from simply stunning to positively… perfect!"

Marga laughed. "My daughter was right; some things never change. You still have a way with words, young man!"

"My thanks, Lady Marga," Andrek replied formally.

"Yes, Andrek," the Duke said, betraying a hint of nervousness. "But you seem to be keeping odd company these days. I've heard you arrived in Kerellon aboard some scruffy, ill-reputed merchant vessel."

Andrek's face became impassive. "I am afraid I didn't have much choice of the company I kept after my family's wealth suddenly evaporated."

The Duke looked away. "Er, yes, Andrek. You must understand there were extenuating circumstances. I couldn't afford to -"

Andrek smiled again. "My lord, I will not trouble the celebration for the return of your eldest daughter with matters that can wait until later. For now, may I have a dance with your daughter?"

"Ahem. Of course, Andrek."

"Thank you, my Lord," Andrek replied, as he offered his arm to Keria. With a gasp of delight, Keria took it, and he turned toward the dance floor. As he did so, he caught the glance of Sula. For an instant, he saw a deep sadness in her eyes - and then she looked away.

Andrek took a deep breath, willing away the weight at the bottom of his stomach, and walked Keria into the throng of dancers. "Is Sula all right?"

"I think she's just missing her place as favourite of the family in my absence," Keria said. "But enough of her, let's do some catching up. It's been five years, after all!"

"Of course. Well, I've been kept very busy. When - my family's business fell on hard times, I found myself in situations I never imagined. I don't think I've worked harder in my life. The journey home was difficult, that's why it took me so long."

Keria nodded as they danced, then pressed her cheek to his. "In my own travels," she whispered in his ear, "I tried to find you occasionally. I missed you."

Andrek blushed. "I - I'm sorry, Keria. I -"

Keria pulled away, looking at him with mischief glittering in her eyes. "Rumour had it you were dabbling in dark arts in some backwater, somewhere. That you we're becoming some sort of black magacian."

Andrek smiled drolly. "You shouldn't believe every rumour you hear, Keria -"

"Captain Landress Vek of the Navy!" the herald announced. A tall, dark-haired, long-boned man stood at the bottom of the staircase, flanked by staff officers. All were in naval dress uniform. They were greeted with warm applause by the guests. Duke Belam was the first to step up and greet the Captain, followed by the other Dukes and Barons.

Keria took Andrek by the arm and pulled him toward the gathering crowd. "Come on, Andrek! You've got to meet Captain Landress!"

"So you're on first name terms with him?" Andrek replied, reluctantly allowing Keria to drag him along.

"Oh, you know how I love a man in uniform," Keria said over her shoulder as they joined the crowd.

Duke Belam turned from a conversation he was having with Captain Vek as his daughter joined them. "Ahh! Captain, I do believe you've already met my daughter Keria - ah, and this is, er, her friend -"

"Andrek Jevar," Andrek said, offering his hand. The captain took it and shook it firmly.

"Ah, yes. Keria, the captain and I were discussing the possibility of establishing a garrison here at Kerellon!"

Keria smiled toothily. "That sounds like a capital idea, Father! Andrek, what do you think?"

"Oh, well, I'm only just back, so I'm not sure I have a worthwhile opinion…"

"Andrek, you're being such a wet blanket tonight," Keria chided. "I'm sure the Captain would be interested in your opinion!"

"Of course, Mr. Jevar," Captain Vek said. "I'm sure a well-travelled man such as yourself would have an opinion."

"Well," Andrek said, "One of Kerellon's main industries, beyond her lumber, of course, is tourism. Would a naval garrison here perhaps make tourists less willing to spend time here?"

"I doubt that very much, Mr. Jevar," Captain Vek replied. "Law-abiding citizens will doubtless take comfort in the presence of a garrison. I'm not sure I can say the same for the company you seem to have been keeping lately…"

"Law sometimes must bow to compassion," Andrek said. "Not everyone has the luxury of choosing the company they must keep."

"Everyone has a choice, Mr. Jevar," Vek said stonily. "You can either be with the New Order or against it. We have little tolerance for lawbreakers, and I have no doubt this community could benefit greatly from a visible reminder. Now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Jevar, Lady Keria, Duke Belam…"

The captain turned and moved through the crowd who had gathered to watch the confrontation. As the gossip began, only one person saw Andrek's eyelids tighten fractionally as he watched the captain's receding back. Sula followed Andrek with her eyes as he asked her father for a room because he was suddenly feeling tired and was escorted away by a page.