“Because no one ever goes to Beldrum. It’s a terrible shame. Beldrum’s a beautiful little city. But everyone goes to Porthaven, even though Beldrum is less than half the distance from Arnor City. Porthaven has all the prestige, you see. The history, the monuments, the culture—well, maybe not the culture. But my point is, it has a lot of draw to it. That’s not to say no one ever goes to Beldrum. It has a thriving port and market, but it’s not even a tenth the size of Porthaven’s. That means they’re in direct competition with Porthaven, which also means the prices are much more competitive. Which is why I make certain to stop in Beldrum at least once a year.”

Meleng forced a smile. All he’d done was mention he’d never been to Beldrum after Captain Gen had said the ship was headed there after leaving Arnor City. He hadn’t expected the lengthy response.

“I suspect that, one day, Beldrum will grow to surpass Porthaven. It has a very bright and prosperous future. For now, though, don’t tell anyone about it. I want to take advantage of its competitive pricing for as long as possible. You understand, I’m sure.”

Meleng gave a slow nod. “Of course. I won’t tell a soul.” The worst part was, he would normally be fascinated by a conversation like this, but after several days of searching for a ship to take him and Jorvan to Isyaria, he was too exhausted. On top of that, the sound of heavy waves crashing into the pier was getting louder and the storm clouds above were getting darker. It was only a matter of time before the rain poured down to wash away yesterday’s snow and drench everyone in its path, so he wanted this conversation to be as short and to the point as possible.

“Good man! Honestly, I think you’ll like Beldrum. Remind me to show you around the old town. They make the most incredible bisque there. To die for.”

“I’ll...uh...I’ll remember. You mentioned Isyaria? You’re going there after Beldrum?”

“Yes, two stops: Chithishtheny and Stroven. From there it’s over the crown of the world and back to Corunglain. People say I’m mad to make the journey in winter, but it’s not nearly as bad as people think. The Isyar keep the way clear. They have to sail their own ships, you know. They may not have a large fleet, but they do have ships. No reason I shouldn’t take advantage of their hard work as well.”

“We need to go to Chithishtheny.”

“Yes, of course.” The Captain looked down at the pile of papers he was carrying. He was a slim, lanky man, neither tall nor short, with short, black hair. He would probably pass as a Folith in Arnor, but Meleng had learned from his lengthy introduction that he was from Corunglain. “Passengers?”

“Two.”

“Easily done.” Captain Gen fiddled with the papers, then lowered them again. “I’ll have my first mate do up the paperwork later. It’s usually their job anyway. For now, let me show you the ship. Welcome to the Lustrous Rose!”

The Captain gestured to the gangplank, and Meleng made his way onto the ship. Gen followed behind him. A shaggy dog with matted hair bounded over to them as they stepped onto the deck.

“This is Jeanne, ship’s mutt. She’s the real captain here, aren’t you, my darling?” Gen knelt and scratched the dog’s neck and ears. When he stood back up, the dog sat in front of Meleng.

Meleng waved at the dog. “Hello, Jeanne.” He was never sure how to act around animals.

“She’s asking for payment,” the Captain said. “No one travels on board without paying her fare.”

Meleng bent over and pet the dog, who responded by wagging her tail, and then trotting off.

“Now, let me tell you about the ship.”

Meleng didn’t know much about sailing ships. This one was similar to the Silver Fish, the ship he’d travelled to Scovese on. That had been a Porthaven Clipper, but Captain Gen called this one a caravel. As they crossed the deck, Gen proceeded to tell the ship’s history, from when it had been commanded by his late mother, up to the present day.

Meleng tried to listen—he really did—but he was too exhausted. He also kept worrying he would somehow be caught. He had been banished not just from the Palace, but also Arnor City. Every time he’d seen a guard or soldier while walking through the city over the past few days, he had been filled with the urge to run, just in case someone recognised him.

But no one ever did.

Both Zandrue and Felitïa had insisted there was very little chance of anyone in the city recognising him, and he knew they were right. Even if the local authorities had his description, there was no way it would be detailed enough to differentiate him from numerous other Eloorin in the city.

“On top of that,” Felitïa had said, “Cerus was certain he and Ardon could convince my father to lift the ban. You might not even be banned by the time you get there.”

“And yet you’re still not going,” Quilla had snapped.

But knowledge he was unlikely to be caught had little effect on his anxiety. The sooner he was out of Arnor City, the better.

“Have you been to Isyaria before?” Captain Gen asked. They were outside the guest cabin now.

Meleng shook his head. “No, I—”

“May I ask what your business is? Not many humans other than merchants like myself go there.”

“Oh, I’m just going with my friend, the other passenger. He’s from Chithishtheny, and he’s travelling there to visit family.” It was technically true, even if it wasn’t the whole truth.

“Your friend is an Isyar?” Captain Gen bent over a little and looked Meleng directly in the eye, his smile creasing the corners of this thin, deep-set eyes. “He wouldn’t be one of those air and water wizards Isyar use on their own ships, would he?”

“He’s an elementalist, which includes air and water,” Meleng said. “I should actually get back to him and let him know I’ve found a ship before he—”

Captain Gen straightened up and clapped his hands together. “Ha! I think we might be able to work out a special deal here. What do you say to twenty-five percent off your travel fare if your Isyar friend uses his magic to give us favourable winds for the journey?”

“That would be up to Jorvan, my...my friend,” Meleng stammered. “I can’t speak for him.”

“Of course not. I wouldn’t expect you to, but you can ask. When do you expect him?”

“As I said, I have to go meet him. He’s also looking—”

“Excellent! You’d better get started then. I’ll take you back up on deck. Oh yes, your cabin is right here.” He waved vaguely in the direction of the door. “Now, this way. I’ll have my people bring your supplies on board while you find your Isyar friend.” He walked away from the cabin and back the way they’d come.

Meleng hurried after him. A raindrop fell on his nose as he stepped onto the deck, but the full force of the coming rain was holding off for now. As he hurried down the gangplank, he was relieved to spot Jorvan already coming along the pier in his direction. As was typical whenever Jorvan went anywhere, people watched him as he passed. A few came close to him, some even reaching out to touch him. Jorvan ducked past them, contorting to avoid anyone touching his injured wing. It had reached the point where it looked healed on the surface, but it was still vulnerable.

“This must be your friend!” Captain Gen had come down the gangplank and was rubbing his calloused hands together.

“Yes.” Meleng raised his hand above his head and waved. “Jorvan! Over here!”

Jorvan looked in Meleng’s direction and picked up his pace. When he reached Meleng, he bowed his head slightly. “Meleng, I have been looking for you.”

“I found us a ship,” Meleng said. “I hope you didn’t—”

Captain Gen pushed his way between them, extending his hand to Jorvan. “My friend, welcome! I am Captain Etiënne Gen. No relation to King Gen of Stin. That stern-faced person there is my first mate, Miana Ting.” He indicated the short, dark-haired Singean crossing the gangplank towards them. “Don’t let them intimidate you.”

Jorvan took the Captain’s hand. “Jorvanultumn.”

“Jorvanultumn, your friend Meleng tells me you’re an air and water wizard.”

Jorvan pulled back his hand. “I am an elementalist, yes. Why?”

“As I told your friend, I have an offer for you. Twenty-five percent off your fare if you’ll use your magic to give us good winds for the trip.”

“I have no experience doing that.”

Gen frowned. “Oh. But you could do it?”

“If I had guidance where to aim the winds.”

“Easily done.”

“I have a counter-proposition,” Jorvan said.

The Captain smiled. “Always happy to bargain. State this counter.”

“First, we must increase the number of passengers. My other friend here—” Jorvan stopped and looked beside and behind him.

Other friend?

“She was behind me.” Jorvan moved to the side to a get a better view of the pier.

“Jorvan!” a voice called.

Jorvan held up his hand and waved.

“There will be three of you?” the Captain said.

“Yes,” Jorvan replied.

“No problem. We haven’t finalised the paperwork yet. Number One, would you be so good as to get the process started?”

“No,” Jorvan said before the first mate could respond. “That is part of my proposition. There must be no paperwork for this passenger. We will pay double the normal fare and I will provide you with the winds you ask for if you will ignore the paperwork for her and do one other thing.”

Hurrying up the pier, dressed in a heavy travelling gown and shawl for the winter weather, and leading a familiar horse laden with full bags and rolls of canvas was Sinitïa. She smiled broadly and waved when she saw Meleng. “Meleng!”

Meleng gaped. “What...what are you doing here?”

She threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “I’m coming with you. I’m going to paint Isyaria!”

“Paint Isyaria?”

“Not all of it, silly. Just lots of it. It’s going to be so much fun!”

“I encountered her while selling the horses,” Jorvan said. “She was very insistent.”

“Quilla said it would be hard to find you in all the crowds, but I thought of something she didn’t.”

“Quilla told you to come?” Meleng said.

Sinitïa tilted her head to the side with a shrug. “Not exactly. It was her idea, but she also told me not to do it. She was a little drunk at the time. But can you guess what I thought of that she didn’t?”

“Uh…”

“I remembered you were with Jorvan and Jorvan’s an Isyar. So all I did was come to the docks and ask people if they’d seen an Isyar. Isn’t that clever?”

Meleng nodded. “That’s actually pretty clever.”

Sinitïa jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “I did something clever!”

“But what about your mother?” Meleng asked. “Won’t she be angry?”

“Furious,” Sinitïa said. “But I’m tired of following Annai everywhere. I want to go to Isyaria.”

Captain Gen cleared his throat. He was looking at Sinitïa, though Meleng couldn’t tell if he recognised her.

“I’m Deanna,” Sinitïa said. She leaned in close to Meleng and whispered. “It’s my second middle name.” She held out a gloved hand to the Captain.

“A...a pleasure, my Lady,” Captain Gen said and kissed her hand.

Sinitïa glanced at Meleng, her face and eyes scrunched in a grin.

“You mentioned one other thing, Jorvanultumn,” the Captain said. “May I inquire what that is?”

“We need to leave as soon as possible,” Jorvan said.

“We are departing first thing in—”

“Earlier. We need to leave tonight, or there could be complications.”

Gen stepped back. “That might be difficult.” He cleared his throat. “Number One?”

The first mate sighed. “Supplies will be fully loaded soon, but I gave the crew shore leave for the night. It won’t go over well if we call them back in.”

“Tell your crew they will receive double their normal wages for this trip if they come in early,” Jorvan said. “We will cover the additional expenses for you as well as pay five times the normal fare.”

Both the Captain and first mate gaped.

“Where are we getting the money?” Meleng whispered to Jorvan.

“Me,” Sinitïa whispered back. “I’m rich, remember?” She grinned again.

The Captain straightened up. “Number One, inform the crew that shore leave is cancelled and let them know our guests’ generous offer.”

The first mate touched Gen’s arm. “A word please, Captain.” They led him aside a short distance, though not far enough to hide their words. “Captain, if these people are in some sort of trouble—”

“I’m aware of the risk,” Gen said.

“Captain, I have a very good idea who that young woman is, and I think you do, too.”

“Do I? I know her name’s Deanna and she apparently has lots of money. There are lots of rich young women in this city. Could be any of them.”

“She mentioned an Annai.”

Gen shrugged. “Common enough name. People like to name their daughters after the Queen. Even the Queen did it.”

While they talked, Sinitïa leaned over to Meleng and whispered, “Do they know who I am?”

Meleng nodded. “I think so.”

“Keep up the act, anyway,” Jorvan said.

Gen turned back to them. “Three hours. We depart in three hours. That’s the best I can do.”

Jorvan nodded. “That is acceptable.”

“One other thing first,” Gen said. “My first mate has wisely suggested we should require at least half the payment up front. I agree with them. You understand, of course?”

“We will pay you half now, and the rest once we set sail,” Jorvan said.

“Then we have a deal. Number One, prepare for departure and get that crew aboard!”

The first mate snapped to attention and saluted, then hurried on board. The Captain followed them, yelling for available crew to take care of their guests’ horses and belongings.

Meleng turned to Jorvan. “Is this wise?”

“Probably not,” Jorvan replied, “but I already agreed.”

Sinitïa’s smile dropped and her shoulders slumped. “Don’t you want me to come?”

“It’s not that. I’m just worried about what your mother will do. She’ll send people after you.”

“That’s why Jorvan said we have to leave here soon. If we get away, they won’t find us.”

“She’ll blame me if she learns you’re with me. She’ll probably blame me anyway. She’ll want me hanged.” A raindrop landed on Meleng’s hand, and another on his face.

Sinitïa’s head dropped lower. “I know. I’ll go back to the Palace if you don’t want me to come. But I’m tired of having to do what Annai tells me. I have to follow her around everywhere with Tianna and Laänne and her other stupid friends. All they do is make fun of me. They say I’m a terrible singer, and they don’t like my painting. Maybe I’m a bad singer, but I know I’m a good painter. I could be even better if Annai let me practise more. And I want to see the world. Mother says she needs to protect me from a world I won’t understand, but I liked seeing Scovese, and I want to see other places. Like you and Felitïa.” Her face was wet, but it was difficult to tell if it was because of the rain or tears or both.

Jorvan placed a hand on Meleng’s shoulder and turned him aside. “I am sorry, Meleng. I know this puts you in danger.”

“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about her. She’ll be in danger, too.”

Jorvan nodded. “Please give us a moment, Sinitïa.”

Sinitïa wiped her face and nodded.

Jorvan led Meleng down the dock out of earshot of Sinitïa. “I understand your concerns, but I did not have the heart to turn her away. There will be danger, but she will find that danger no matter what we do. It is better we are there when she does. Plus, even though you have told me about her before, there is something you did not tell me because you could not have known. When I saw her, I recognised she has untapped potential that will never be fulfilled in the Palace.”

“Potential? What...you mean she has magical potential?” Meleng glanced at Sinitïa, who was staring back at him. The rain was matting her hair down, and the ribbons in it were starting to slide out.

“She does,” Jorvan said. “Very few humans have it, and even fewer learn to use it. She needs someone to teach her.”

Meleng looked over at Sinitïa again. “Who?” Even if he were a better wizard, he couldn’t teach her. She would never be able to handle the equations. She needed something more intuitive. Maybe Felitïa could teach her?

“We can worry about that later,” Jorvan said.

“Have you told her?”

Jorvan shook his head. “I suspected she would have expectations too high. We will need to talk to her carefully about this.”

“You’re probably right.” Meleng headed back to Sinitïa. “You know this’ll be dangerous, right?”

Sinitïa nodded.

“I mean for you, not just me. There’s more than just your mother sending people after us. There are Darkers and Volgs.”

“I know. I want to come anyway.”

Meleng nodded. “Okay.”

She grinned, rushed forward, and threw her arms around him again. “Thank you!”

He hugged her too. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know. There’s another reason I wanted to come. I have to tell you something.”

They let go of each other and she stepped back.

“What is it?” Meleng asked.

Sinitïa looked down at the ground again. “Zandrue.”

“What about her?”

“She’s betraying Felitïa. She offered to tell Annai all Felitïa’s secrets.”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“I was there. I heard her.”

Meleng looked at Jorvan. “Did you know this?”

Jorvan shook his head. “Not until now. I have doubted Zandrue in the past, but she has shown herself to be of good heart. She and Felitïa are close. I find it hard to believe she would betray her.”

“I heard her,” Sinitïa repeated.

“It might have been a deception,” Meleng suggested.

“A deception?” Sinitïa said.

“She could be trying to trick Annai for some reason.”

“Why?”

Meleng shrugged. “I don’t know, but there’s probably a reason.”

“I guess that’s possible,” Sinitïa said.

“That has to be it.” Meleng hoped that was it. Like Jorvan, he didn’t want to imagine Zandrue betraying Felitïa.

“Let us get on the ship and out of the rain,” Jorvan said.

Sinitïa nodded vigorously. “Please. I’m getting really cold.”

“Get your stuff, then,” Meleng said.

She turned to the horse she’d brought with her, then spun back round again. “I brought Livia! Felitïa won’t mind, will she?”

That was where he’d seen the horse before! Livia had been Felitïa’s horse, but they’d been forced to leave her behind at the Palace when they’d gone to Scovese. “No, I’m sure Felitïa won’t mind. But we can’t take her with us. She won’t do well in Isyaria.”

Sinitïa frowned. “I know. Jorvan told me. But I’ve got lots of things and...”

Meleng nodded. “I understand. Jorvan?”

“I will take her and sell her. I am sure the one I sold our horses to will be willing to take another.”

Meleng helped Sinitïa with the pack bags so the crew could take them and the rest of the supplies on board. “Are these painting supplies?”

Sinitïa nodded as she worked at untying a long, slender wooden case. “And clothes. I’ve got canvas, paints, an easel, brushes...other things.” She lifted the case away from the packs. “Tell them to be careful with this.”

Meleng took it from her. It was heavy, made of a fine wood he didn’t recognise. It had a golden lock and hinges. There was an etched bear’s head on the lid. “What is it? Special brushes?”

Sinitïa shook her head, and took a moment to retrieve a small gold key from the folds of her gown. She unlocked the case. Inside lay a slender sword with gold filigree etched into the hilt and a bear’s head engraved on the pommel.

“It looks like Zandrue’s sword,” Meleng said.

Sinitïa frowned and closed the lid, locking the case again. “It’s a royal sword. Zandrue shouldn’t have one.”

“I think it was originally Felitïa’s. She gave it to her.”

Sinitïa scowled. “I don’t trust Zandrue.”

“I know, but I’m sure everything’s fine. I didn’t know you had a sword. Can you use it?”

“I’m a princess. We all get a sword when we turn ten. I had training, but I was never very good.”

Meleng shrugged. “I’m sure you’re better than me.”

Sinitïa shrugged. “It’s been a long time. Painting’s the only thing I’m really good at.”

Meleng handed the case back to her. “I wouldn’t be so sure. At any rate, you should hide this in one of the other bags or cover it with something. It could give you away.”

Sinitïa nodded, opened one of her other packs, and worked at fitting the sword case in it.

Once Livia was unladen, Jorvan took her reins and led her away, promising to return soon.

Sinitïa watched as long as Jorvan and the horse were still visible. She sniffled and turned back to Meleng. “I read your letter. It was long.”

“Sorry about that.” It was long, but there had been a lot to cover. But he also had a tendency to ramble when he wrote. He should probably work on that.

“That’s okay. I still read it all. Quilla helped a little.” Sinitïa looked aside. “Okay, a lot. You have nice writing.” She looked back at him. “Oh! I brought a painting for you.”

“Another one?” She’d given him one on Scovese as well. He appreciated the gifts, but it was difficult to pack paintings and keep them undamaged while travelling.

Sinitïa grinned. “I’ll show you it when we’re out of the rain.”

Meleng took Sinitïa’s hand, and they boarded.

He hoped Palace guards didn’t show up in the next three hours. That wasn’t likely, was it?

He chided himself for being so paranoid. Everything would be fine.