Caudin smiled as Anla ran her hand over his head. “You had such beautiful hair,” she said, “but this feels interesting. Soft, like velvet almost.”

“It’ll grow back, though I won’t be able to keep it as long as I used to.”

She stuck her bottom lip out for a moment. “Yes, you must keep appearances. Kings can’t have thieves’ hair.”

“Alas, no. It will be something fashionable and austere. And it’s the same with you. They’ll ask you to grow yours long so it can be plaited and piled on your head. My mother’s hair reached the small of her back and took her a half-hour to brush at night.”

“There are worse things than having long hair.”

“There are. Have you though much on the gravity of your decision, on what it’s going to take to be a queen?”

“Ruling a country is hard work, I know that. You have to constantly be making rules and decisions, and you never know if its the right one. ”

He sat up in bed, leaning against the wall of their cabin. “It’s not the ruling part that’s hard. Yes, there’s a tremendous pressure that whatever decision you make might end up being the wrong one that costs people their lives, but those don’t come by all that frequently. And we’d have councillors and advisors to help weigh our choices. No, it’s the day-to-day living. Getting up at dawn, attending a dozen events during the day, from medal ceremonies to balls to luncheons for some cause. You have to be pleasant at all times, you have to check your words, you have to wear what they say and say what they want. Then, you fall into bed exhausted and do it all over again the next day.

“Being the ruling couple of Arvonne means that you are Arvonne. You cease to be a person and instead are some statue, some figurehead that people adore. They think you’re perfect when inside you’re screaming because you never wanted any of this.”

By this point Anla had sat up as well. “You felt that way at ten years old?”

“Hmm, well, I was definitely frustrated. I wanted to be a child, but was forced to be a prince. I wanted to play and run in the streets and hit things with sticks. Instead, I had to sit still for long-winded speeches and be tutored in boring subjects. I was reminded constantly that I was going to be my brother’s right-hand man, and that as king he would need me to be mature and proper. It didn’t help that he took to it like a bird in an updraft; he relished being responsible. He would have made a great king.”

“So will you.”

“I doubt that.” He looked up at her. “I’m not being morose about this. I think I’ll do fine, after some education. It’s just that it should be him in this position. Arvonne would be led better by him.”

“But, they have you and they will love you. You’re not going to be a king that molds himself to the position. You will be a king that forges a new way, the right king for a land that needs a fresh beginning. As you said, you will be Arvonne and Arvonne right now is a country that needs to be rid of a rule that is stifling it. It needs help and support from allies. It needs to remember who it is and move forward with its head held high. It needs to adapt and change and find its place in the world once more.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “You are wonderful. But, if you find yourself needing to scream, just know I’ve been there and I can help you through it.” He stood and began dressing. “We need to pack. I spoke with Jormé last night and he was bursting to tell anyone that would listen that we would reach Eptrikonvonue by mid-day and that he was likely to set a record for it.”

“That must make him quite pleased.”

“He said that a captain with a record like that would have a huge bargaining chip when it came to employment opportunities. His company has him on a four-year probation. They may break that for him.”

“I’m so glad we were able to work with him. He’s a good man.”

“A good friend, yes, but I think only because this worked out in our favor. I can’t imagine what things would be like if this hadn’t worked out well.”

She smirked at him. “Well, he’s a rather comely man. If you had rejected me, maybe I would have given up and turned my eye to him.”

“Oh, would you have?” he said, bemused.

“He was interested, before I showed him my ring. He’s been a gentleman, but that’s easily remedied with a look and a smile.”

“Woman, are you trying to make me jealous?” he asked, leaning on the bed. “I should remind you that while I gave Atelo most of my trirec belongings, but I did keep one of my knife sets. I haven’t forgotten how to use them.”

“On me?”

“No, I’d take out the competition. His first mate can take over.”

She laughed, tucking her knees to her chest. “He’s not competition.”

“Are you sure?” he said, crawling onto the bed. “I’m not entirely convinced.”

“I thought you said we should be packing.”

“That was before you told me the captain was comely.”

She laughed again as he moved close, pressing his forehead to hers. “I’ll make a note of this. If I ever want your attention, I just have to make you jealous.” As he started to kiss her neck, she said, “I think we’re going to miss sailing into port.”

“Your fault,” he murmured.

“Mmm, yet I don’t feel guilty at all.”

* * *

The captain’s smile could have made the sun jealous. “Four weeks and five days!” he said, laughing as he hugged Telbarisk. “The old record was five weeks and four days! You’ve made me a famous man!”

“I am so very happy for you.”

“Will we see each other again?” he asked abruptly.

“I don’t know. I feel the same way about you that I did about Raulin, though I wonder if its kouriya or hope.”

“I’ll keep my ear out for new about Arvonne,” he said. “If things work out well, I’ll make sure to let you know when I’m due in port. Maybe we could meet up and you can tell me about what’s been going on in your life.”

“I’d like that, Jormé.”

At that moment, Anla and Caudin rushed out of their cabin to the deck to meet up with Al and Telbarisk. She grabbed his arm and said something. He nodded and rushed back to their cabin to grab something they had forgotten.

Anla walked over to Jormé, looked back quickly, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so very much for everything you’ve done for us.”

“You’re welcome,” he said politely, but with a smile. “Again, thank you for looking out for Telbarisk. I think it speaks highly of your character that you’ve included him in your lives.”

Caudin returned and shook the captain’s hand. “Thank you. I know I didn’t seem grateful or friendly in the beginning, but I’m glad you helped them help me come to my senses.”

“You’re welcome and I wish you all the luck in the world, Sire.”

Caudin smirked at the title, but nodded his thanks as the four walked down the plank to the wharf.

The homes Eptrikonvonue made good use of the nearby woods of various colors. They were always framed in the dark brown kiaskenda wood, but the internal slats varied from pale blond to deep reddish-black, even the cheaper houses of the wharf. As they walked through the streets, Caudin pointed out the curtains.

“Richer folk like to show off their wealth by hanging long outer curtains of bright colors out their windows. They have to change them as they fade from rain and sun as well as repaint the white wattle and daub walls surrounding the casement.” He pointed to one with an intricate pattern on a sixth of the drapes. “That’s a clan emblem. The man of the house and his eldest son will wear that on a sash with their dress for the day. If you look up ahead, there’s a man with a long beard who’s wearing one in blue.”

The eastern gate was higher than where they were, so it was easy to follow the roads towards it. “Thousands of years ago, before the Noh Amairian Accords were signed, this city and the lands east were part of Arvonne. For some odd reason, you’ll find a few old families in the city who still wish it were. See that flag hanging below the Kistuaran flag? Blue, green, and white.

“Those rickshaws over there are proudly run by five major guilds in the city. Once, they had a strike that shut the…”

“Um, Your Majesty?” Al interrupted. “May I ask why we’re getting cultural lessons?”

“My father used to say that any time spent traveling was a time to learn. If you three are still serious about putting your every ounce you have into this campaign, then you must assume that we will succeed. And if we do, then you may be in a position where you will speak with Kitstuaran emissaries at court. Confusing two noble families, one pro-Arvonnese, the other not, perhaps of two feuding rickshaw guilds, would be a terrible gaff.”

“Ah,” Al said.

“Unless there are objections, I will continue the lessons. And when I have nothing to add, I will teach Arvonnese, court style.”

“’Court style’?”

“There is a more refined version of Arvonnese. The nobles pronounce things a little differently, use a few different words. It’s mostly the same, but commoners will instantly recognize you as someone with bearing by the way you speak.”

“It won’t matter that I don’t look like an Arvonnese?”

“Wizard, if this works people will know who you are before you open your mouth. They’ll treat you with respect based on that. But, it will help if you could speak on a higher level.”

Al gave a funny little smile at that.

“Now, before we leave the city, we should run a few errands. First, we need to exchange our money at a bank. Then, we need travel clothing and provisions for a few weeks.” He looked up. “We should probably stay here overnight, so I’ll find us a hotel that’s not too expensive. Finally, horses.” He looked at Al. “You’re going to regret wanting to ride horseback, at least for a few days.”

They left early the next morning after a quick riding lesson from Caudin. Telbarisk enjoyed the horses, but since there were no destriers available he walked. And after he noticed how Al squirmed in his saddle after a few hours, he didn’t regret it.

“Khiestra,” Caudin said.

“Kiestra,” Al repeated.

“No, listen to the ‘k’ in the beginning. It isn’t made with your throat, but by opening the sides of your mouth Kh, kh. Try it.”

“Kyestra,” he said.

“Almost. Try opening puffing air past the gums next to your last molars.”

“Hhh, hhh. Khiestra.”

“Perfect.”

“Sire, if saying ‘hello’ is that difficult, I can only imagine what the rest of the language is like.”

Caudin chuckled lightly. “Easy or hard, you’re going to learn it. I will admit that, aside from a few words, it’s not that hard. Kitstuaran is hard. Br’vanese is hard.”

“Yes, but you grew up speaking Arvonnese.”

“Maybe true, but what’s ‘hello’ in Br’vanese?”

“Navska.”

“Notice how you draw your teeth effortlessly from your lips to the bottom inside of your mouth during the v to sk transition? That takes some practice.”

“Point taken, but it’s still hard. Tel?”

“Khiestra,” he said.

Al sighed. “And it must be easier for Anla to transition from what she knows to the refined speech.” There was only the sound of horses as Caudin gave Anla a look. Al looked between the two of them. “What?”

“I didn’t get a chance to mention it,” she said.

“You don’t mind if he knows?”

“No. It’s still a little hard for me to acknowledge it, so feel free to tell him.”

“Mention what?” Al asked.

Caudin reined in his horse so he was next to Al. “You know the hierarchy of the nobles in Arvonne, yes?”

“The royal family leads, then it’s principals, dukes, marquesses, and so on. Arvonne doesn’t have barons.”

“Yes. I’m guessing though that you don’t know any of the house names of the principals.”

“Just that the Alscaines are the ruling family and no one else is named that.”

“It holds the same for the principals. Not the given names, just the surnames are unique. The Principal of Seas, for instance, is titled ‘Etesco’ and his or her family name is Aunvredu. My friend from my dream, his title is ‘Jemerie’ and his family name is Cuistetta. And the Principal of the Woods is titled ‘Commres’. His family name is Auchindol.”

Al’s eyebrows took a few moments to climb his face as he figured things out. “Oh. How did that happen?”

“I mentioned once quite some time ago about a scandal in the Arvonne court where a son of a principal renounced his titles, went to school to be a doctor, and left. That was Anla’s father.”

Al wished Anla would turn around to confirm the news, but she looked straight ahead in the saddle. “So, she’s a…duchess then? I can’t tell you what a relief that is. I was wondering how I was going to have that conversation with you.”

“Do you mean the ‘you can’t marry a commoner’ speech? That would have been fun to listen to, knowing something you didn’t, especially since what you always thought her piscarin tricks was actually her merit. I should point out, though, that we’re not in the clear. She has a much better standing as a duchess than as a commoner, but it will be expected of me to marry a princess and have children that are half god-blooded instead of children on the same level as principals.”

“What are we going to do, then?”

“’We’. Thank you, Wizard, but that’s a decision I need to make, or have already made.” He sat up straighter in his saddle. “I am never going to hurt my wife again. I now have the means to keep that promise and I intend on keeping it this time. Anla is my wife. She is not my mistress or my concubine or my courtesan. Our marriage will not be left-handed. She is now the other half of my life and Arvonne is going to have to accept that or be without a king.”

“You’d be willing to throw everything away for her?”

“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. Anla turned slightly back in her saddle and smiled.

“Is that position open for discussion?” Al asked.

“No.”

“I see,” was Al’s reply.

They reached the checkpoint for the Sayen border by late afternoon. Caudin had what seemed like a pleasant conversation with the guards, who let them go after a few minutes.

“We’re set to ferry?” Al asked.

“Yes,” Caudin said through clenched teeth.

“What’s wrong?” Anla gave him a searching look.

“The guards were crass. In a five minute conversation they managed to joke about what they’d like to do to you and suggested it was similar to what their king had done to Arvonne.” He took a deep breath. “It’s been some time since I actually wanted to stab someone. Most people I killed I didn’t want to kill. Those guys, I might pay someone to let me take them out.”

She laid her hand on her husband’s arm. “Leave it be. They won’t harm a hair on my head and you know that. And they’ll be without those jobs in a year’s time. Might be a miserable situation for them, if they’re looking for work and people remember their attitudes.”

“A valid point. I can do more damage to them by just doing what I plan to do.” He kissed her temple and continued on to the ferry.

The Mielsa was wide enough to appear like an ocean, the other side too far away to be visible. It took an uneventful day to cross and they left Sayen territory behind quickly. They were in Arvonne by mid-day.

“It’s quite pretty,” Al said, shifting back and forth to take in the countryside, or perhaps to relieve some pain from sitting in the saddle. “Quiet, too.”

“This is the Temenrinde region, though technically it started at the border of Kitstuar,” Caudin said. “The people here connect strongly to Kitstuaran culture and you may find some wearing plain side scarves instead of ones with crests. Temenrinde was under the protection of Duke Challe, who is actually a second cousin of mine.”

“Should we stop in the castle, then?” Al asked.

“Quin Sesault doesn’t know Duke Challe and it’s unlikely that Duke Challe is still the duke of this area. From my understanding, most of the aristocracy was overthrown not too long after my family was killed. Only the lickspittles managed to keep some power, and those were likely viscounts who dropped their titles, but kept the job.”

They continued on past a crossroads, Caudin continuing to teach Al and Tel about Arvonne and the language. He saw smoke in the village ahead and frowned, then stopped their train at the edge of the town. “Wizard, what do you see?”

“There’s a hefty man with a white kerchief on his face. Is he robbing the place? Should we go do something?”

“Turn around,” Caudin said, reining his horse around.

“What? We should help them!”

“There’s no help for them. We need to go around. Back to the crossroads.”

“You’d abandon them!” Al accused.

“We can’t help them!” Caudin said, crossly. “That wasn’t a bandit. Bandits would work in groups and they wouldn’t wear white. He’s burning diseased corpses. That village has been hit by a plague and they’re trying to stop to spread of infection.”

Al opened his mouth to protest, but he stopped to think instead. After a minute or two, he said, “You’re right. I’m sorry I accused you of neglect.”

“It’s very likely that we would catch whatever is going around, especially Telbarisk. Your magic doesn’t help disease. There’s nothing we can do.”

The next day, after camping in the woods, they were attacked by brigands. The quartet made quick work of the men, even at thrice their size. Caudin approached the leader, whose legs and arms had been entangled to the ground by Tel’s magic. He was middle-aged, his skin tanned against his brown eyes. The rest of his face was covered in a brown kerchief.

“Thirteen to four is hardly fair,” Caudin said, pulling one of his knives out.

“You fight any way you can to survive. It’s your fault for being unprotected.”

“How does one protect themselves in this area?”

“By paying me and my men, of course.”

“We took care of you easily enough. Why would I pay a man to do what we can?”

“You think we’re the only band doing this? These woods are crawling with highwaymen. Kill us and there will be another group and another and another. Are you really the type of man who would kill hundreds?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said, and the bandit’s eyes widened at his tone. “Tell me a route that has less of you to worry about.”

Caudin’s intention was to force an answer from the man, then pay them a small fee to leave them alone. However, the more he pressed his knife to the man’s throat, the stronger the cramp in his wrist became. He dropped his knife and rubbed his arm. “Who are you?”

“My men call me The Sparrow. We are the band of thieves known as-”

“No, who were you before you took up this life?”

“It’s in the past,” he said.

Caudin reached around and untied the kerchief as the man fought against it. “Anonymity is the one treasure I value above all else!” the man said.

As he looked at the man’s full face, Caudin’s stomach dropped out. He stepped back. “New plan,” he said loudly. “If The Sparrow here can land a cut on me, we’ll give him everything we have, including the horses.”

“How about the woman?” one of the men tied to a tree yelled and the men laughed.

“Kentro,” The Sparrow warned.

“Release him, Tel,” Caudin said and stepped back. He took his two knives and jammed them into the ground.

“Your…Quin? Quin, is this really a good idea?” Al asked.

“It will cut through the brush quickly,” he said, standing stock still as The Sparrow moved forward.

“Where is your trick?” he asked.

“No trick. I just want you to see what I see.”

The Sparrow wasted no time. He took his own knife in an overhand position and plunged it down into Caudin’s collarbone. Or, he would have, if he didn’t drop the knife and grab his wrist. He didn’t bother with the question, he just studied Caudin’s face for a few moments, then said, “Can’t be.”

“It’s me, Challe.”

He turned and paced away, then stormed back. “Why now? Why didn’t you come back sooner? We’ve needed you!” He shoved him with his fingertips. “Do you see this, me? I’m was a duke and now I have to rob my own people in order to live one more day!”

“I can only apologize and hope you’ll accept it.”

“I’ll accept it if you fix this godsforsaken paradise.”

“I can only try.”

Challe sighed heavily. “What do you need from me?”

“If you were being truthful, protection. You’re right that I’d rather not kill dozens of people, especially those who are suffering like everyone else.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home. Eri Ranvel.”

He nodded. “I can negotiate throughout Tamarinde. I can protect you as far as Erinbront, but it’ll be us against them. I may lose men.”

“I understand. I can pay you some money…”

Challe waved his hand. “Money’s no good anymore. People wallpaper their homes with it. What we need are goods, food, weapons, tools.”

“I’ll see what we can do. And, Challe, that woman your men were joking about is off limits, yes?”

“She already was. I don’t abide that.”

“Good, because quite frankly I’d worry about your men more than her. She’s capable of a lot more that she appears to be.”

Caudin spent most of the next half-week in council with Challe. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least. Challe told him of corruption, famine, poverty, and disease. “We can’t keep up with it. The system is broken. No one will trade with us, so there are dozens of towns with specialty items, like clocks, that rot in barns. The clockmakers can’t put food on their tables, so they have to work the fields, which they know nothing about, or steal. Courbey over there used to make Somstair scarves. His family had been making them for five generations.”

“Why do you think no one’s buying them?”

“The Arvonnese don’t have the money to spend on luxuries. The other countries won’t buy them because some people were taking advantage of the dependable Arvonnese quality in goods and selling poor products or skimmed shipments.”

“Our name is tarnished. I’ve heard that before.”

“Losing the Mielsa cost us quite a bit, too.”

“I’m likely to deal with that early if not in priority.”

Challe cleared his throat. “Sire, if I may, why did you stay away so long?”

“Like Arvonne, I had no support. I was adrift, living my life as dictated. I should have returned earlier, but it would have been like catching fish without a net or a boat. I’m hoping to be guided well.”

It took them three weeks to reach Eri Ranvel. They took a suite in a grand hotel for three coppers’ worth of vons and were treated royally by the staff when they learned they would be there for some time.

That night, Caudin lay in bed staring up at the ceiling while Anla got undressed. She blew out the candles and nestled next to him. She kissed his cheek, trailing down his neck before stopping. “Did I do something?”

When he said nothing, she wiggled her fingers in front of his face. “What?” he asked, turning towards her.

“You seem pensive. Either that or some pretty Arvonnese lass caught your eye.”

“Those are my only two options?” He drew her into an embrace and squeezed her shoulder. “Now that we’re here in Eri Ranvel, I’m really seeing Arvonne for what it is. This was my home. I didn’t play in the streets, but we traveled throughout the city almost every day. I remember what the neighborhoods looked like. I remember what the people looked like. Even accounting for the fuzzy lenses of nostalgia, this place looks terrible. The streets are dirty, the homes in disrepair. There were too many people to count on my fingers who had hollowed cheekbones and ragged clothing. My eyes are wide open, Anla. I never paid enough attention when I took a contract in Arvonne. I didn’t see it for what it actually was.”

“My father always said you can sit by the river and lament of the past, or you can walk into the woods and start a new adventure.”

“He took that advice literally, hmm?”

“He didn’t regret it, at least I don’t think he did. I know it wasn’t easy for him living in a strange place with strange people who almost completely shunned him, but he was always happy with us kids and my mother.”

“As I will be with you and our family, wherever we wind up. I just didn’t realize what I was bringing you three into.”

“It’s nothing we can’t handle, ainler. Remember what we’ve done? We rebuilt a town after a volcanic eruption. We saved potentially dozens of women from a mad wizard. This will seem like nothing in short time.”

Caudin sighed. “I wish I had your optimism.”