Just a little something I wrote during exam time. More information on the kingdoms will be given as the story progresses

Jan De Vries: Netherlands

Emma De Vries: Belgium

Noah De Vries: Luxembourg

Mikkel Køhhler: Denmark

Berwald Oxenstierna: Sweden

Gilbert Beilschmidt: Prussia

Sofia Beilschmidt: Female Austria

Eirik Thomassen: Norway

As always, I love constructive criticism!

The port is busy, as always. No matter how many years go by, it is the only place that never changes. Fisherman pat each other on the back after a busy day at work, captains shout orders at their crew, shipwrights check the boats for any damage and merchants check their remaining supplies. It's noisy; seagulls squark in search of dropped treats, children yell in excitement at the sight of the majestic ships, dogs bark as they spot one another, workers laugh and chat to one another, looking forward to returning home to their families. The sun is only just starting to set, its amber rays casting lights onto the water and bathing the port in a orange glow.

Jan breathes in the salty air, stepping off the Snow Lady reluctantly. He can't deny it's nice to be back home, but he already misses the gentle rocking of the ship and the freedom of the sea. But he has sold all his goods, found a few new suppliers and earned another small fortune, so it is time to take a break for a few months, stock up on what sold best, before setting off once again.

The city of Mittestadt hasn't changed much in the four years he's been gone. Upper class citizens are carted from place to place by elegant horses, members of the middle class walk around with callouses on their fingers and their heads held high, while the lower class rush from one side of the market to the other, dirt clinging to their faces and backs hunched from years of hard labour. The streets are still cobbled, the stench of sewers and faeces still pollute his nostrils, the houses are still made of brick. Of course, some have burned down, some have changed occupants, but they're still the same houses, the people inside them are still insufferable.

The Siedlerdan wanders through the busy streets, making his way to his sister's tavern. He has been crashing at hers ever since she could afford her own home. He rarely stays in the city for longer than four months, so it isn't worth buying a house of his own. After all, his real home is the ship he sails on.

"The Königliche Leckereien" is bright and full of life when the merchant arrives. It's a small tavern, taking up the lower floor of a middle-class house, yet Emma does her best to up its appeal. The shutters have been painted in emerald green, the oak door is a cherry red, there are colourful tulips and poppies hanging in baskets under the windows and the blackboard by the door informs customers on prices and upcoming events.

The inside is noisy and full of drunkards. They haven't started fighting anongst each other yet, preferring to joke instead. Jan is pleased to notice a few other waiters other than his sister; he in fact recognises one, and almost calls out a greeting before hesitating. His sister first, then his friends.

Emma De Vries is filling up a pint of bear, smiling and chatting with her customers as she works. She is pretty, as he remembers. Short blond curls that rest upon her shoulders, bright red lipstick, warm green eyes and a motherly yet mischievous smile. He finds himself smiling.

"Hi," he sits down at the bar.

She spins around, gasping in surprise before smiling in delight as she recognises him. He is only given a few seconds before she joins him and envelops him in a hug.

"Jan! It's so good to see you again! How long are you staying for? The guest room is free; you're welcome to take it," she gushes out.

He returns her hug, glad to feel her warm living body against his own. He worries about her when he's off at sea. There's always a nagging worry that one day, he'll return to her dead body. It's always good to see her happy and healthy.

"Good to you see you too. I'm not sure yet, a few months probably. Guess I'll go put my suitcase down then come back and chat."

Emma nods, settles herself back behind the counter and gets back to work.

The evening passes by in a flash. Many people want to know about Jan's travels, what he saw, what he's brought back home. They want to hear tales about monsters and people so different to them. Jan is not pleased to share his experiences, mainly because it is nowhere near as exciting as the drunkards think it must be. Trade deals, rough seas, polite talk with locals, these are subjects few people are interested in. Still, he shares, because he needs to keep up his reputation. Who knows if there are any future clients in the room?

Finally, it is closing time, and Emma chases away the lingering customers before locking up. The friend Jan spotted earlier hangs back, though, a smile spread from ear to ear.

"You haven't changed a bit, Jan!" he chuckles.

Neither has Mikkel. His blond hair defies gravity with its spikes, his blue eyes sparkle with mirth and he is as fit as Jan remembers. The only adjustment the revenant can see is a silver ring which glints in the artificial light.

"Neither have you. Who are you engaged to?"

"Berwald, we're getting married in July, if you fancy coming?"

Jan raises an eyebrow at the news. Mikkel and Berwald getting married? Well, that's one he's never heard before! The last time he checked, the couple were simply the product of a lustful one-night stand. No one expected them to last. Seems like he owes a few people some money...

Damn it.

Out loud, he hums in agreement. July's only five months away. He can force himself to stay here for that amount of time. He has many things to do on land, anyway, like finding new clients, renewing deals with older clients and getting his ship checked over by a professional. Then there's recruiting for new staff, buying supplies for the long journey, and who knows what else? Indeed, he has a lot of work cut out for him.

"So, what's changed in four years? Is the King still the King?"

He already knows the answer. As cut off from the rest of the world he can be, he would have heard of the death of King Beilschmidt.

"Yep, His Royal Highness is as much of a grouchy old man as he used to be. Prince Gilbert still adamantly refuses every suitor they find for him, so that's a source of worry for everyone in the palace. They've started searching for a suitor for the Princess instead."

Jan snorts in amusement. The next-in-line to the throne has always been wild and headstrong, much more interested in the military and war games than settling down, getting married, having children and ruling the kingdom.

"In other news, we're no longer at war with Ksevstoku, which is a freaking miracle. On the other hand, we seem to be starting a trade war with the R.I.S, which isn't great. Everything's going well with Solterre and Hilal. We're a bit cold towards Raistice and Hualong, but I think we're working on that. Gudarnasland recently asked for military aid against some rebels from the U.R.N, which we're still debating on. And I think that's the main stuff," Mikkel lists at high speed.

Jan just blinks.

"We're no longer at war with Ksevstoku. How the hell are we no longer at war with Ksevstoku?"

Ksevstoku and Siedlerde had been at war since the first Braginsky and Beilschmidt were crowned kings. Territorial disputes for the most part, a few assassination attempts on both sides and denied military aid had quickly degraded the relationship between the two kingdoms, and had lasted for generations, with no hint of stopping. Jan half expects hedgehogs to start falling from the sky.

"Crazy, right? You can thank Eirik Thomassen for that. He only started attending court meetings a few years ago, and became a permanent member a few months later. I mean, the kid's incredible. You see him and you laugh, because there's no way someone like that could make it onto the permanent court, and then he starts to speak. He's wrecked so many people in there; some don't even show up again," his friend explains.

Jan raises an eyebrow.

"Kid? How old is he, eighteen?"

He means it as a joke.

"Seventeen when he first attended a meeting, eighteen when he made it onto the permanent court. He's nineteen at the moment."

The green-eyed-man coughs, eyes widening in astonishment. It's unheard of for someone that young to make a name for themselves in the cruel world of the court. He suddenly wants to meet this person, as unbelievable as he sounds.

"And you're telling me a nineteen-year-old kid has enabled us to make peace with Ksevstokou, but we're about to start a trade war with the R.I.S?"

"He's working on preventing that from happening, but he can only do so much when he's clearly outnumbered."

"If his reasoning is adequate, he can persuade the room to side with him whether they agree with him or not," Jan sniffs dismissively.

"He's a foreigner."

"Oh."

"From the U.R.N."

"Ah... and he still managed get Ksevstoku and Siedlerde to sign a peace treaty?"

"I told you he's incredible," Mikkel chuckles.

"Who does he stand for?" Jan asks.

It is unlikely for him to side with the king, considering his homeland. The U.R.N. is a problematic country, to put it lightly. Most kingdoms want it eradicated from the map, but lack the necessary equipment to survive so far north.

"In his own words, Sofia, the future queen of Siedlerde," the smirk Mikkel gives is devilish.

Jan snorts at that. Sofia, the second in line to the throne? There's little chance of her becoming queen, unless someone gets rid of the King and Prince Gilbert at the same time. Still, this kid sounds interesting...

"You said he's a member of the perment court? So he'll be there tomorrow?" he inquires casually.

"You interested in him too, then? Yep, unless someone successfully assassinates him in the meantime. Court hours haven't changed, you'll be pleased to know," Mikkel smirks knowingly.

"If he's as exceptional as you say, of course I'm interested in meeting him. He may prove useful, you never know. And, I'd rather we not start a trade war with the R.I.S. They're some of my best clients," he adds.

Emma coughs politely, nodding towards the old clock ticking on the wall. It is well past one in the morning.

"Yikes! Waldo's gonna kill me! Well, nice seeing you again, Jan! Take care, Emma!" Mikkel is out of the tavern as quickly as possible, his panic amusing to the De Vrieses.

Now that the two are alone, they engage in conversation about each other, life and more personal issues Mikkel doesn't know about. Emma is still single, so is Jan. Noah, their youngest sibling, however, is dating, although Emma doubts it's anything serious. The tavern is bringing in enough money, and Jan's job helps greatly in the financial domain. Still, they needs heirs, both young adults know it. Unfortunately, both disagree in the matter. Jan suggests adopting, if neither can find a partner, but Emma is against the idea. Too many potential legal issues, she believes. Before their argument can escalate, Jan changes the subject. They talk about Noah, about his studies.

"Maybe Noah can bring us a new heir?" Jan suggests.

"He's only sixteen."

"And? We'll live a little longer. We need someone to take over the business someday, it's not like we have any other relatives who can do it for us," Jan sighs.

"I'm tired," Emma finally yawns. "Shall we discuss this again tomorrow?"

Jan hisses in irritation, but agrees anyway. They have bigger birds to kill, after all.

Tomorrow, he will attend the Royal Council and try to convince the idiots inside not to start a trade war with the F.I.S.

"Eirik Thomassen, I hope you're as incredible as Mikkel claims you are."