“


    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.


    “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.”


    “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!”


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


    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.


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


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


    “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?”


    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?”


    “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.


    Captain Gen pushed his way between them, extending his hand to Jorvan. “My friend, welcome! I am Captain Eti?nne 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.”


    “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.”


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


    “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.”


    Sinit?a 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?”


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


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


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


    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—”


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


    “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?”


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


    Sinit?a’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 La?nne 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 Felit?a.” Her face was wet, but it was difficult to tell if it was because of the rain or tears or both.


    Jorvan led Meleng down the dock out of earshot of Sinit?a. “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.”


    Meleng looked over at Sinit?a 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 Felit?a could teach her?


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


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


    “She’s betraying Felit?a. She offered to tell Annai all Felit?a’s secrets.”


    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 Felit?a are close. I find it hard to believe she would betray her.”


    Sinit?a 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?”


    Sinit?a 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.


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


    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.”


    “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.


    “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.