Archipelago Story

Archipelago Story is the placeholder title of an unfinished novel. The events of the novel take place across Niro and Aora, two archipelago nations between whom a restless enmity has long been simmering, due to several disputes over ownership of the border islands.

It addresses (or will address) subjects of territorialism, diplomacy and international relations, cultural exchange, cultural relativism, gender and social policy, among other things.

Synopsis
Archipelago Story is anchored by the protagonist, Haska, the second child of their emperor and second heir to the throne. The ship they are travelling on capsizes in a freak storm, and they find themself washed up on one of the border islands between Niro and Aora. They are discovered by the Eruca, an Aorin privateer ship. Overriding feelings of rivalry, the crew takes them in.

The crew's quartermaster soon recognises Haska as the Niro heir, and comes to the realisation that letting slip their presence on the ship, to either side, could trigger the start of a war. The plot that follows concerns how the Eruca, now a liability to both sides, negotiates the quiet return of the heir to Niro, and all that ensues.