Now imagine that it was a thousand times more complex, and that any slip among it would result in disaster, not just for a single ship, but for an entire nation, Ravin said. That has been my life. Do you know that I was not initially meant to be a king? That I was least among my fathers children, destined for little more than death when another ascended?

The sailor nodded. I… have heard the stories, Majesty.

Ravin laughed. Stories. I had the stories written. A king must look a certain way, be a certain way, and I took care to be all of it. I found which friends to make, and which to offer the appearance of friendship for as long as they could be useful. I learned when to be generous, and when to be cruel. I became king.

The sailor had settled into step beside him now, close as a confidant on a tour of a garden, except that they were walking the deck of a ship, among an armada of them, the promise of their foes land somewhere in the distance.

From the moment I became king, I knew that it was not enough, Ravin said. My father thought it was, was content with his hunting and his gaming and his drinking. Oh, I affected to enjoy these things, of course; a king must appear as people expect, but I knew that people need more: they need purpose.

Purpose, Majesty? the sailor asked.

Without it, they fall into bickering, into conflict, although they do that well enough anyway, King Ravin said with a laugh. But give them a common goal, and they will work together. In this case, to reunite the kingdom that once was, north and south together. I have known that it was my purpose for almost as long as I have known that I was destined to be king.

As you say, Majesty, the sailor said. It was as close to a disagreement as men dared around him.

You dont agree? Speak freely.

Just that you speak of all of this as if it is set by fate.

It is set by my will, King Ravin said. And by the care that I have taken. Can you imagine what it took to build up my Quiet Men and send them across the river over years? To create a navy in a kingdom that has never known the need? To lure my foes forces south by daring to take their princess in the one time she would be vulnerable?

I cannot, Majesty, the sailor admitted.

Of course you cannot, King Ravin said, but it was not cruel. It was simply the way that things were. Just as I am sure that there are things of the sea that you must know, and I have never heard.

Your Majesty is too kind, the sailor said.

I have rarely been accused of that, King Ravin said. You became a sailor when you were young, didnt you?