Twenty-Nine

On Foreign Shores

“We should probably board the ship,” Tieran said.

“For once,” I said, “I agree with you.”

Once on deck, I spotted Lith standing in a huddle with Eigen and a few of his other trusted advisors. Kikuli waited off to the side, hunched over as though she were about to run a race. I expected to find Liro next to her, but instead found him awkwardly lingering next to the hard-faced Callin. These people never ceased to surprise me.

The wind carried a few of Lith’s words over to me. “…on guard…don’t know…dangerous…”

“I’m guessing that I’m going to be shooed below deck in due time,” I grumbled.

“Why are you complaining?” asked Tieran. “You don’t want to be in the middle of a battle, do you? Unless you’re secretly a talented warrior, too. Now that would be something.”

The princesses in the fairy tales I’d read as a child always had secret fighting skills. I, of course, had none – my father was a firm subscriber to the belief that the men should fight and the women should stay home, especially when said women were his blood relatives. I knew I’d be next to useless in a hand-to-hand fight, but then again, my powers would certainly give our side an extra boost. Unfortunately, Callin was the only one here who knew about them.

The group around Lith dispersed, and he looked around. When he saw me, he walked over immediately. My prediction, it seemed, was about to come true.

“Princess,” he said, “we have to reason to believe that the people on that boat are Eladrinians.”

My throat iced over. “Eladrinians? How?”

“I don’t know. But you see that flag they’re waving? The rose petal and the snowflake? That’s their symbol.”

Ha – what a farce. Setena’s symbols were the lion and the eagle, and Eladrin’s were part of a flower and a frozen water globule? They were pathetic cowards, through and through.

“I’m guessing that means all of us Setenians should hide ourselves,” Tieran chimed in.

“Right you are,” said Lith. “They might not want to fight us if they think we’re just independent sailors. But if they know we’re working for the king…”

“…They’ll be out for blood,” I finished. “All right, then. I’ll gather up Lirovan and Callin, and we’ll all go below deck.”

“Yes. But first – take this.” Lith shoved a small metal object into my hand. “It’s a key to my quarters. Go in there and find some hiding spots. Just in case the men come on board. All right?”

My fist curled around the key, and I nodded. Lith sprinted off. Everyone was on board now, so the men disassembled our temporary ramp and began to lift the anchor. Lith shouted that we’d be setting off shortly, so I went over to Callin and Liro. It only took a minute to explain the situation, and neither of them had reason to protest.

We clamored downstairs, each splintery stair creaking beneath our weight. The hall was dark, unlit by candles or lanterns. None of us had flint or tinder, so we felt our way through the dark. I let Callin take the lead, knowing he had the most experience in such circumstances. It was general knowledge that the Captain’s quarters were located at the opposite end of the hallway and down a short flight of steps – slightly below everyone else’s rooms. Callin came to the door first and jiggled the handle. I shoved him aside and jammed the key into the lock. Then we ventured inside.

Lith’s room was too bare and tidy to be a usual captain’s room. The slim bed had frayed, yellow covers and a less than fluffy pillow. Some rolled parchments were stuffed in a small bookshelf. But besides that, there weren’t many furnishings or adornments.

“I don’t think he spends much time in here,” said Tieran. “He’s a busy man.”

I sighed, traipsed over to the bed, and sat down. The mattress remained rather stiff beneath me. If this attack went on for too long, none of us would be sleeping much tonight. Dark thoughts clouded my mind as I observed the other three – Callin making sure the door was locked securely, Liro pacing back and forth, and Tieran leaning against the wall.

The boat rocked with a sudden jolt. Liro nearly fell over backwards.

“We’re moving!” he said.

But the boat only remained in steady, smooth motion for about ten minutes.

“We’ve stopped,” said Tieran. “We must’ve run into the other boat.”

Callin double-checked the door again, but it was as secure as ever. Then he pressed his ear to the door.

“You’re not going to hear anything that way,” Tieran scoffed. “Our best bet is to listen through the ceiling.”

“None of us is tall enough to reach the ceiling,” Callin retorted. “Not even if we stood on the bed.”

“We could put her on your shoulders,” Tieran said.

Everyone looked at me.

Unpleasant images rushed through my mind. “I will not be treated in such an unladylike manner!” I snapped. “I’d rather stay here and find out what happened later, thank you very much.”

“There might not be a later, if these pirates are violent,” Callin replied. “We should know what’s going on, in case Lith and the others need our help.”

“I-I’m inclined to agree with the princess,” Liro said. “I… I think Lith and his crew are, uh, quite strong. We’ll be safe here.”

Tieran snorted. “I agree that Lith and company are more than capable of defending the ship. I just want to hear them out of curiosity. Don’t you?”

He sent me a pleading look, and Callin joined him, his dark gaze more intimidating than beseeching. I could already sense an argument brewing in the distance, and the last thing we needed was a loud fight revealing our hiding place.

“Fine,” I said. “But if you drop me or make me uncomfortable, there will be retribution.”

A minute later, I managed to climb onto Callin’s shoulders through a series of complicated steps, which included him crouching down and me standing on the bed. Though I wobbled a bit as Callin stood up, Tieran spotted me. If I had fallen, he probably would have caught me, or broken my fall, at the very least. Liro stood back nervously, but he didn’t have the courage to come forward and help. It seemed injured whales were of more value to him than I was.

On Callin’s shoulders, my head was a mere inch or so away from the ceiling. From my calculations, we should be right below the steering wheel. A perfect meeting place for two ship captains.

“Hear anything?” Tieran prompted.

I shushed him and pressed my ear to the wood. “Nothing yet.” We wait a minute in silence. “Wait – distant voices. Nothing clear, but… I think it’s Lith. And someone else. Hold on, I might be able to catch a few snippets.”

“Aren’t we lucky, being positioned right underneath the action?” Tieran crowed.

Now it was Callin’s turn to shush him. Once silence had fallen over the room, I could hear the conversation above me more clearly.

“…just…adventuring…?”

“…no business…government…,” came Lith’s reply.

“It has to be the Eladrinians,” I hissed. “They asked Lith if this was just a ship of adventurers – to make sure they weren’t working with the government.”

“…king…out of power…” said the unfamiliar voice.

“…didn’t know…” said Lith. “…isolated…months…”

“…good…don’t…involved…”

“They’re telling Lith about the Eladrinians taking over from my parents,” I said. “Lith’s denying any knowledge of the situation. The Eladrinian is telling him not to get involved.”

“Too late for that,” muttered Tieran.

The conversation continued, but the Eladrinian said nothing of note. Mostly, he asked about Lith’s business, and Lith easily rattled off some lies about heading to Lasorre for trade reasons. He was so convincing that the Eladrinian didn’t even ask to inspect the ship for questionable cargo or stowaways. The Eladrinians were never the smartest people, of course, but this only served as more evidence.

The voices faded about fifteen minutes later.

After Callin had eased me to the ground – a motion that was a bit less awkward than I expected it to be – we let out a collective sigh of relief.

“No fighting tonight,” Tieran said smugly. “We’re lucky they’re not too bright.”

“Don’t get too comfortable yet,” Callin scolded. “They haven’t sailed away, I’m sure. We should sit tight for a little while longer.”

Another ten minutes went by before someone knocked on the door.

“Everyone? It’s me. It’s safe for you to come out.”

Recognizing Lith’s voice, Callin cautiously unlocked the door and peered out. When he had confirmed that Lith, and Lith alone, stood outside, he opened the door wide and stepped out of the way.

“So it was a group of Eladrinians?” I asked.

“Well, honestly – I’m not entirely sure.”

“How can you not be sure?” I said. “They had the Eladrinian flag on their ship.”

“Oh,” he said, “it was an Eladrinian ship, all right. And there were definitely some Eladrinians on board. But the man I spoke with – well, he was too dark in coloring to be an Eladrinian. He had dark hair, and his clothes weren’t in the refined Eladrinian style at all. I could’ve sworn he was Caladian – and that a few of his crew members were, too.”

Callin tensed next to me. “How is that possible? The Caladian government is staunchly opposed to the Eladrinian uprising.”

Lith shrugged. “Maybe they’ve changed their minds. But since we’re supposed to go to Caladia… I’m starting to wonder if it’s safe.”

“If they see me with you, they won’t harm anyone here,” Callin insisted.

“I don’t know if you can rely on that anymore,” said Lith. “What if they’ve switched sides?”

“It wouldn’t be to their disadvantage to do that,” Liro said. “If the Eladrinians have strong magic powers, Aguian allies, and the throne… Well, the Caladians may not have any incentive to stand against them. Uh. But that’s just one theory.”

“The Caladians are not such a fickle, cruel people!” Callin snapped.

“No one is saying they are!” I cried. “We’re just exploring all of the options. There’s no proof for anything right now.”

“The princess is correct,” said Lith. “There’s no use worrying about it now. Let’s just head to Lasorre as planned. We’ll just have to be more cautious when we head for Caladia in a few weeks. All right?”

Callin’s nerves were far from soothed, but the subject was dropped. However, I could almost sympathize with him. Thinking your closest allies had betrayed you – it was an experience I was more closely acquainted with than I should have been.

--

I’d like to say that the next two weeks of our journey were full of action and drama, but alas, they were not. No, I wasn’t bored out of my mind – there were plenty of interesting people to talk to, and things to do ranging from daytime stops on islands to dance parties at night. But nothing that notable happened.

I half-expected Kikuli and Liro to become inseparable, but Kikuli surprised me by retaining her old infatuation with Eigen and treating Liro as a sort of side-friend, a confidant for a rainy day. Seeing that the relationship between the two redheads was going nowhere, my heart was somewhat soothed, and I managed to stop feeling irrational animosity towards Liro. I even let him teach me how to guess the weather and make herbal tea to treat headaches. But we were far from close friends. I doubted we would ever get beyond the level we were on now.

Callin and Tieran were always lurking nearby, but of the two of them, I conversed with Tieran far more. Callin seemed moodier than usual, and often took to gazing mindlessly at the ocean. He also established semi-friendships with some of the crew members, and was the first to volunteer when they needed help with some sort of menial ship task. Tieran, on the other hand, liked to lounge around, and he was always on hand to play cards or tell some epic myth. He also started keeping a journal, but he wouldn’t tell me what was in it.

“Believe me, it’s boring academic stuff,” he said.

“Or dirty pictures of me,” I muttered, but honestly, even Tieran wouldn’t stoop that low – would he?

Before I knew it, we were docking in Lasorre. Though the town the boat anchored at looked like almost any Setenian village – tall structures made out of wood, merchants crowding the streets, sailors pushing crates around – the feel of the air was decidedly different. It was thick, muggy, and held a heavy aroma of something sweet and spicy, a mixture of cinnamon and citrus. I breathed in the warm wind and closed my eyes.

“Happy to be home, Eigen?” Kikuli cried. My eyes snapped open. “It’s just like you left it, right?”

“It certainly is nice to be back,” Eigen said half-heartedly.

“All right, listen up!” called Lith. “The men are lowering the ramp, and as soon as they’re done, a small group of us are going to head for the palace, including the princess and her advisors. Eigen, I want you with us. Kayde, stay here and keep everyone in line – and watch over Kikuli, all right?”

Kayde nodded silently as Kikuli gave a high-pitched whine. But she was powerless to act as my group assembled, including Hael, whom I had scarcely spoken to in the past few weeks. I’d seen him around socializing occasionally, but I’d also noticed that he spent much of his time holed up, working on something. I wonder if Kevran knew that he had a twin.

With the ramp lowered, we proceeded into town. My legs started shaking like little twigs, and my body rocked back and forth as though I were still at sea. Liro seemed to be having the same experience, but everyone else adjusted rather well – I suppose they all had enough sailing experience to deal with the sudden change.

I looked at the skyline, only to see that most of the buildings were exactly the same height.

“Where’s the palace?” I asked no one in particular.

“It’s not decked with pointy turrets and towers, if that’s what you’re looking for,” said Tieran. “I mean, it’s absolutely gigantic. But it’s about as tall as two or three of me.”

“That’s everyone!” Lith called. “Let’s go!”

I had been instructed not to dress quite so princess-like, since we didn’t want any random Setenian visitors to recognize me. Kikuli had offered me one of her dreadful pairs of men’s trousers, but I’d chosen to clothe myself in a tame beige dress with a curving collar and shorter sleeves. I’d permitted Kikuli to put my hair into a braid, and I’d stowed my golden circlet in my sleeve pocket in case I needed to prove my royal blood.

Nevertheless, I could already see peoples’ eyes trained on me. And I couldn’t help but stare back. Most of the people of Lasorre looked like Eigen, with dark skin ranging from caramel-colored to brown so dark it was nearly black. The colors were entrancing, mesmerizing, striking – maybe just because they were so different from what I was used to, but I was inclined to believe the colors were absolutely gorgeous on their own.

“They’re not used to seeing such pale people,” Tieran joked in my ear. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing personal.”

Strangely, my stomach didn’t clench at the sight of so many eyes on me. There was no animosity in these peoples’ stares. Their eyes were wide, curious, not foreboding like the Eladrinians’. I felt strangely at ease as a soft breeze swept through the town and I inhaled more of that strange, sharp scent.

The journey to the palace wasn’t long. After walking through several rather wide marketplaces, filled with hanging tapestries and carpets decorated in every color I could ever have imagined and then some, drying laundry, and the occasional flower garland trailing out of a window, we came to a circular plaza with a grand fountain at its center. The fountain showed a bunch of winged women – goddesses? Aegia? Elemental spirits? – changing water into various shapes. I gazed in awe as real water shot out of their hands and danced in circles and lines.

“How do they do that?” I hissed, as I noticed Lirovan was equally enthralled.

“It’s just technology,” Tieran assured me. “No magic involved.”

I hardly even noticed the long, columned building beyond the fountain until I saw Lith and the others walking towards it. Tieran hadn’t been lying; the place wasn’t taller than any other building in the city, nor remarkable tall on its own. The columns were a bit scuffed up and dirty. A few guards stood at the entryway, though they were clad in loose-fitting tunics and turbans rather than army, and they only held a single wooden spear.

“I suppose the fountain is the highest form of technology they have,” I muttered.

My words went unheard as Eigen stepped forward and bowed to the guards. The guards bowed back and spoke to Eigen in a tongue I’d never heard before. The sound was jarring at first, but not unpleasant – a mixture of rolled ‘r’s and long vowels, in an un-intrusive tone. When Eigen replied, I decided I liked Lasorrean and would love to learn it.

The guards stepped aside, and Eigen waved to the rest of us.

“We’re in luck,” he said. “The Privileged Sandora has just returned from his morning rounds. We can see him immediately.”

I breathed out a slow trail of air.

“You know what you’re going to say?” Callin asked me. Had he just read my mind?

“Of course,” I said. “I’m going over it right now. I will be able to secure the prince’s help with no problem.”

Callin nodded. “Well, perhaps you can go over your speech out loud. Just to double check.”

“That isn’t a bad idea,” Hael agreed.

Tieran snorted. “Don’t worry, you two. Snyder’s a nice guy, and fair, too. He’ll listen, and he’d be stupid not to help us. Besides, he has a soft spot for the ladies.” He nudged me. “It helps us that you’re not hideously ugly.”

“Oh, thank you,” I said.

Eigen and Lith began to walk inside, and Callin and Hael gestured for me to follow. I suppose it would only make sense for the princess to walk in the middle of the group, surrounded on all sides. I stepped forward, holding my head high. I had to make a good impression on these people, and I wasn’t going to do it by slouching over.

“What do you know about the prince?” I asked Tieran quietly.

“His full title is the Privileged Snyder Sandora,” he whispered. “He’s about thirty years old and unmarried, but purposely so, since he likes to have his fun. He has a pretty good sense of humor, and he’s pretty smart, too. At least, when he wants to be.”

“How well do you actually know him?” I asked.

Tieran shrugged. “Not too well. But he always stopped by my family’s farm a few times a year, until I went to Setena. He knew my name, and that I wanted to go to school. He always asked whether I’d made any new discoveries to document. Truth be told, it got a bit annoying after a while.”

We entered into the palace, so I clammed my mouth shut. I expected to be impressed by royal luxury; however, Snyder’s residence paled in comparison to Castle Sederia. The beige stone walls were bare of any adornment, from trinkets to paintings. The windows were devoid of curtains. The floor displayed no intricate patterns. It almost felt like someone had moved into this place, but never unpacked or redecorated.

We walked down a long, empty hallway. Though I thought we’d walk through a door to reach the throne room, it turned out the throne was at the end of the hallway. What kind of prince was this, who didn’t even need his own throne room? However, the throne proved to be the most stunning piece of furniture in the general vicinity. It was made of pure gold and had deep blue velvet lining. It was also empty.

“Where’s the prince?” I whispered to Eigen.

“He should be here soon,” Eigen said.

Soon turned out to be a few seconds later, when a booming voice from behind me exclaimed, “Welcome, guests!”

We turned to face the Privileged Snyder Sandora in one fluid motion. He didn’t seem very princely in appearance. Well, all right, he was more princely than Averance had ever been. He had a confident, self-assured air about him, even though his clothes were simple and seemed cheaply made. He had un-brushed dark hair and a beard that needed shaving. His chocolate skin, of course, was utterly stunning, but besides that… Well, he was the most casually attired one there, including Lith.

They certainly did things differently in Lasorre.

“I don’t think we need to go through this ridiculous formality,” Snyder said. “You’ve traveled a long way, and I’m sure you’re hungry. I’ll call for a feast, and we can all sit around the table and talk as equals. How does that sound?”

“I like that idea,” I said, though this response went unheard under Eigen’s louder, “Whatever you wish, Privileged One.”

Surprisingly, Snyder did not insist that we called him by his first name. Maybe he wasn’t as down to earth as I’d thought. Instead, he snapped, and a line of servant girls appeared from out of nowhere. I blinked, trying to figure out how they’d hidden themselves so well. They were ordinary looking girls, with aprons and neat braids down their backs.

“Tell Ralls to whip up a feast, all right?” Snyder instructed the first girl. “And he should make it good; we want our guests to have the very best. You, find out how many of the guests there are and have chambers prepared for them. The rest of you, tidy this place up. It’s filthy.”

Then he strode off towards a large door on his left, gesturing for us to follow him. I didn’t know how to feel, but I was hungry. My feet obeyed his command.

The table was oddly low to the ground, and we sat on satin pillows rather than on chairs. I couldn’t say I disliked the change. Servants poured us drinks and provided us with fans, should the heat become too overwhelming. As we waited for the food, Snyder declared we should have an official introduction.

“As you know, I’m the prince of Lasorre,” he said. “And I’ve been lead to believe there’s a royal among you. Now if I had one guess… I would have to say it’s you.”

He looked straight at me. I smiled pleasantly. “Why, of course,” I said. “Why else would a young woman be traveling with these ruffians?”

Snyder laughed heartily and took a roll from a basket a servant had just placed on the table. “Well said. So you are the princess of Setena?”

“Yes,” I said. “I am Princess Quisa Sederes. Pleased to meet you.”

“And I, you,” he replied. “Now, if I am correctly educated – I thought the heir to the throne was a man. Am I right in presuming that you are not the heir?”

I bit back a snarl. “Yes. I am the second born. My brother Averance will inherit. But I am my family’s emissary in this time of need. We have come to Lasorre under very dire circumstances.”

“And you’re hoping I can help?”

“All I want right now is for you to listen to my plight. I will leave up to you to decide whether you see fit to help us. But I am hoping you will.”

With a nod from Hael, I launched into my well-rehearsed speech. I recounted everything, from the Eladrinians’ plot to our current situation in hiding. Snyder listened attentively but hardly budged a muscle. By the time I’d finished, the table had been filled with simply but deliciously steaming dishes, from salted broccoli to sliced quail.

“Those are quite dire circumstances indeed,” Snyder agreed. “Well, I will have to consult with my advisors. We will discuss the matter thoroughly and give you an answer tomorrow morning. Tonight, you will experience full Lasorrean hospitality. Is that pleasing to you?”

I stared at him, trying to get a read on him. In a flash of inspiration, I called up the bubbling power inside of me. Tell me whether you will help me now. It was like I’d run up against a wall. Snyder didn’t waver.

“Tomorrow?” he repeated. “First thing?”

“Yes,” I said. “That will be fine.”

I immediately received an admonishing look from Callin. He’d experienced my use of power – and its failed effects. I steadied myself and looked down at the carefully cut meat in front of me. Yes. I was hungry. I should eat.

When the meal ended, Snyder bowed out, saying that he had many things to attend to. He invited us to explore the palace and the city, and to ask the servants for absolutely anything we needed. Dinner would be at dusk. Then he ran off.

The moment he was gone, everyone burst into conversation.

“He needs a day to think the matter over? That’s a bad sign.”

“No, it’s a good sign. It shows he’s a logical man, not an impulsive one.”

“But did you see the way he behaved? He wasn’t exactly respectful to the princess.”

I ignored the chatter and stood up. “I think I’ll retire to my room for now.”

Callin shot out of his chair. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Good idea,” Hael said. “Watch over Quisa, Callin.”

With no way to escape him, I smiled politely and waited for him to come to my side. Then we found a servant, who nodded and started walking towards a hidden, spiraling staircase in the corner. As we went upstairs, Callin leaned towards me.

“You shouldn’t use your abilities while we’re here,” he whispered. “I think the Lasorreans know more about it than they let on. Snyder might not trust you if he thinks you’re manipulating him.”

I gulped. Had I unknowingly just destroyed all of our chances of winning Lasorre as an ally? No. I had tried to manipulate him to answer me. I hadn’t manipulated his actual answer. That was honorable in itself – it only showed that I desperately needed the help.

“All right,” I said. “I won’t do anything. Unless I have to.”

“Good.”

My room was the first door we came to when we finished climbing the stairs. It was small but cozy, with a bed canopied in gauze and a balcony that looked out over the city. Callin saw me settled in, and then he nodded a farewell and left. I went to the bad, laid down, and prayed to Irian that Snyder would say yes. If he didn’t…

I didn’t even what to imagine what would happen.

A/N: Hello, loyal readers! I am so sorry for my long absence. Again, college ate my life. I imagine that my updates will become more frequent once I reach my winter break in a month and a half. But for now… You’ll have to deal with these infrequent bursts. I am very sorry, but my class work and school activities have to take precedence right now! As they say, good things will come to those who wait.

Anyhow, I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback, as usual!