Kingdom of Sea and Stone

“Speaking of loyalty, where is the crew from?” I asked. One man was at the wheel, the other trimming the sail.

“I hired them at the port market.”

“Are they trustworthy?”

Talin glanced at the captain from the corner of his eye. “Only as far as they are greedy. I paid them half up front. They’ll get the rest when they deliver us safely to shore.”

I nodded and rubbed my arms to warm them against the cool night air.

“Are you cold?” He looked past me, to where Grig and Osius stood. “I have a cloak somewhere.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, not wanting to burden him more. Guilt for leaving my parents and fear for their safety soured my stomach. I glanced at Grig, who was clinging to the railing and trying valiantly not to be sick. I understood how he felt.

“We’ll get you some traveling clothes at the market, along with the rest of the supplies we’ll need,” Talin assured me as Osius approached us.

“Apologies for the interruption, but I was thinking that we’ll need to get to the horses right away.” He turned to me. “I know you can ride, but what about Zadie?”

“She can’t,” I said. “She’ll have to ride with someone else.”

Osius nodded. “She can ride with me, but we’ll need another horse, unless you’d prefer to ride with Prince Talin.”

“I think I’d prefer my own horse,” I admitted, hoping I didn’t offend Talin. “Riding double isn’t exactly comfortable.”

Osius bowed. “Of course, my lady.”

Talin and I stood in silence for several minutes, mulling over our own thoughts. “Nor,” he said finally. “I’m sorry we couldn’t take your family.” He chewed the corner of his lip, then added, “I’m sorry we couldn’t take everyone.”

I leaned back against the railing. “I know it was impossible. And my mother wouldn’t have left without Father. But I can’t help feeling like I abandoned them to a monster.”

He ran his hands through his hair in an attempt to smooth it, but he quickly realized it was hopeless and let his arms fall. “I know, and I am sorry. I had no idea he wanted the Varenians. But even if I’d guessed his plan, we couldn’t save them all. Believe me, if it were possible, I would have.”

I knew he was telling the truth and that his remorse was genuine. But it didn’t make leaving my parents behind any less painful. As much as I didn’t want to fall back into Ceren’s hands, it was almost more frightening that he hadn’t immediately come after us, because now we had no idea what he would do next.

Tentatively, Talin reached toward me. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure my brother never hurts another person again, Nor.”

I looked up into his blue eyes and knew he meant it, even if it was a promise he couldn’t keep. I placed my hand in his, and he released a sigh before pulling me against his chest. His warmth made me realize how silly I had been, stubbornly refusing his cloak.

“It will be a few more hours till we reach shore,” he said. “You should sleep.”

“I’d rather stay with you.”

He rested his chin on my head. “Good.”



* * *



Despite my best intentions, I was swaying on my feet within an hour. The nearly sleepless night with Talin, followed by the tumultuous day, had left me exhausted. Talin carried me back to Zadie and settled me next to her, where I slept until I heard the cries of so many birds it could only mean one thing: we had reached the port.

Zadie stirred beside me, her hair a knotted mess, her clothing damp and wrinkled. She pushed to her feet and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Grig, Osius, and Talin stood nearby. Talin helped me to my feet, smiling as I blinked blearily at him. At some point, he had draped cloaks over Zadie and me, somehow fastening the clasps without waking us. He pulled the hood up to shade my face, then did the same with his own. “We should be as inconspicuous as possible.”

“I’m going to give the captain the rest of the payment,” Osius said. He turned and bowed to Zadie. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced, my lady. I’m Osius, former captain of the king’s guard and—current status as a wanted man notwithstanding—your humble servant.”

She blushed and held out her hand for him to kiss. I couldn’t help remembering the moment I had met him and how I’d found the gesture awkward and mildly humiliating. Zadie had always been better suited for this than I had.

Talin nudged me with his elbow as I took his arm. “My lady,” he said with a grin. We approached the gangway arm in arm, with Zadie and Osius behind us and a very relieved Grig bringing up the rear.

I had never been to this part of the port before, and it was even more crowded and overwhelming than the market. I turned to Zadie, who was taking her very first steps on land, and my heart clenched at the uncertainty on her face. She had never expected to leave Varenia, not after I went in her place. She had never even wanted to. I recalled my own first steps, which had been overly cautious and unsteady—and I’d been in far more peaceful surroundings.

“You may be ill,” I warned.

She smiled weakly. “I remember. Land sickness. But it’s worth it to find Sami.”

“This way.” Talin escorted me away from the docks and into the street. “Our horses are stabled at an inn nearby. Grig will see to them while Osius procures weapons.” He turned to Zadie. “Come with us,” he said, holding his arm out. “We’re going to find you ladies some proper attire.”

He steered us through the busy streets, past a dress shop with beautiful silk and lace confections in the window. Zadie stared longingly at them as we passed. When we entered a different store, I watched with amusement as she took in her surroundings, her face falling.

“What are we doing at a men’s tailor’s shop?”

“We can’t ride in gowns,” I explained. “We need trousers, boots, and cloaks.”

Talin nodded and turned to the shopkeeper, who took in Zadie’s and my salt-stained clothing and arched a skeptical brow.

“Here.” Talin set a sack of coins onto the counter with a loud clink. “You heard the lady.”

The man nodded and immediately sprang forward with his tape measure.

“This is all well and good,” Zadie whispered to me as the man inched toward her inseam. “But what about our undergarm—I beg your pardon!” she squeaked.

“Apologies, madam,” the man said, hopping backward. “I believe I have everything I need. The ladies are the same size, are they not?”