It seemed odd to Kairos that King Tobias would send him with Erika to Prasa Potama on horseback. Why didn’t the king have Rhea do the errands? The two of them could have taken a carriage and made a day of it. Instead, Tobias had Rhea working with the gardeners. After finding the magic to do away with skura, the king should have rewarded him by allowing more time with her! Alas, Kairos knew not to question the king over such matters.

Unfortunately for him, Erika rode horseback, explaining that she didn’t care for carriages. Kairos had no fondness for being on the back of an animal. Before he knew he’d be in a saddle, he had chosen his finest red and gold brocade jerkin to wear over his doublet and of course his billowy-sleeved chemise. Because the weather had cooled, he chose wool Hosen and black venetians. He topped his outfit with a black velvet beret and let a curl drop onto his forehead. A wizard must look his best when accompanying a princess!

He followed behind Erika and her escort, a young, red-haired soldier as they rode down the hill into the bustling city. Tents and cabanas stretched from the pier along the cobblestone streets into the allies amid high-rise flats and stone cottages. As the sun laced the sky with colorful hues, merchants had already swung open their tent flaps, and hung their wares. The sausages looked exceptionally savory and as he wiped drool from his chin, he checked his purse and pulled out several copper coins. The sausage vendor would be the first booth he visited.

When they reached the livery, Erika dismounted. Kairos zealously slid off his horse and almost fell. His legs were so rubbery.

“We should rent a carriage for the ride back,” he muttered.

Erika laughed.

“What? I’m serious, Fairest.”

“You’ll be fine riding home, Wizard.”

He waited with Erika’s soldier outside the stable, guarding the hoofed beasts while Erika went in. The soldier, dressed in his uniform with the king’s emblem on his tunic and a shining sword strapped to his side, stood upright and proud. The lad nodded a greeting.

“Your name?” Kairos asked.

“Rory, sir, and you be the wizard Fairest holds high.” He offered his hand and Kairos shook it.

“My name is Kairos. You have an accent. You’re not from around here?”

“Fairmistle’s my home.”

“Ah yes, the river township.”

“Now, where to begin!” Erika returned from the livery with a groom. He took the reins of the horses and, with a formal bow, led the animals to the stables while Erika pulled out her ledger and began reading.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. The aroma of those sausages is too tempting. How about you, Rory? Can I get you a bite to eat?”

“Don’t mind if I do, if it’s all right with the princess?”

“Go ahead, you two. I’ll look for my fisher,” Erika replied, regarding the busy street vendors.

“We’ll find you,” Kairos assured her and nodded for Rory to follow him. Kairos strolled past an oxen cart loaded with pots and pans, headed for the booth he’d seen earlier. Sausages hung from ropes stretched above his head. Thin brown links, some reddish next to thick gray liver sausages, dangled temptingly. They smelled of garlic and peppers and a variety of spices, some aromas with which he had no familiarity. How would he decide since they all made his mouth water and his stomach growl? He stared at the lineup of meats that hung from one end of the tent to the other. The merchant, a plump little woman with a rosy smile, missing a tooth or two, approached him.

“And that one is?” Kairos pointed to one savory looking tube of meat.

“Metworst,” the woman grinned. She had an accent, though Kairos couldn’t tell her ethnicity. “Smoked. Serve with stamppot.”

“Oh, you need to cook it?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps you have something I could eat now?”

The woman laughed and cut a link from another sausage and handed it to him.

“Ready now. Lucanian.” Kairos broke off a morsel and tasted it, offering a bit to Rory.

“Very good, we’ll take this one.” Kairos handed her his coin to seal the transaction. He turned to Rory and broke off a larger chunk of meat for him.

“Now let’s get to our business,” Kairos said with a mouthful.

“Fairest went that way.”

Kairos stuffed a chunk of meat in his mouth and moaned with pleasure. Delicious. The two hurried through the market, which had come alive with people, donkeys, and a few chickens. They dodged a pig running toward them, and then again, the boy chasing it. The smells were captivating. Food everywhere—pastries, tiny meat pies, exotic fruits all mixed with the fragrance of hickory smoke.

As they searched for Erika, they came to the fishing wharf where the scent of smoked fish filled the air. There they found the princess speaking to a couple of merchants, a father and son it seemed, with her ledger out. Under the canopy were rows and rows of smoked fish, tubs filled with salt water where astakos crawled on top of one another looking for escape, and another barrel filled with shellfish. Kairos, fascinated by the spotted, clawed sea monsters, leaned over. He’d seen lobster on a dinner platter, but never alive like this.

“Can I help you?” a woman asked. Kairos shook his head. “I’m with the princess,” he said, still with eyes keen on the shifting mass of crustaceans.

“And we need three months’ supply. Is that possible?” Erika asked the oldest of the two men.

“Yes, Fairest. It will take time, but we can get the King’s order to him before the end of the month.”

“That will do. Sooner if possible.”

“What do you do with those?” Kairos asked the woman who had approached him. “You sell them alive?”

“Tastes best when cooked fresh. Just throw them live in a kettle of boiling water.”

Kairos looked up. “Throw them live in a pot of boiling water?”

She grinned at him as he shuddered and stepped away, glad not to be a lobster. As Erika chatted with the fish merchant, Kairos regarded the booths behind her on the other side of the road. A milliner and tailor booth where there hung rows and rows of brightly colored berets, jerkins, doublets, and capotains, the newest fashion of hat Lord Sylvester had worn at dinner the other night. Everyone had admired how tall and handsome he looked in it.

“Excuse me, Fairest,” Kairos whispered to Erika. “I’ll be right over there.” He pointed, and she looked over her shoulder briefly, nodded, and continued to barter prices with the merchant.

“Goin’ to grab one of those sugar loafs?” Rory asked with a grin. Kairos merely winked at him and strode away to the hatter.

Though he’d coveted the capotains from afar, once in the merchant’s tent, the colors, textures, and scent of all the wares distracted him. What a fine tailor! The hats had elegant designs and textures. He took one down and set it on his head—a bit large! A middle-aged merchant with a salt and pepper beard, deep blue eyes, and furry brows nodded came to him.

“Does you well, sir!” he said.

“Wouldn’t you say it’s too big?”

“It is. I have a smaller size in my wagon if you‘d like to try another.”

“Yes, please.”

While Kairos waited for the man to return, he sorted through the jerkins. So many rich colors—blues, greens, wine reds mixed with gold in intricate patterns of paisley and Fleur-di-lis.

“Kairos,” Rory stepped into the tent.

“Rory! Did you see these jerkins? You ought to get one of these. You don’t always wear that uniform, do you?”

Rory laughed as he wandered into the thick of clothing. “When I’m not servin’ the king, I’m in my galligaskins. Not much need for a soldier to be wearing these fancies.”

“Oh, but surely you’ll want to dress up occasionally.”

Rory shook his head, laughing. “Fairest has settled with the fish merchant. I think she’s ready to move on.”

“Oh, very well.” Kairos left without the hat, and the two of them waited as a crowd of people passed by before they crossed the street. He did not see the princess once they returned to the fish merchant. Expecting Erika to be waiting for him, he grimaced.

“Where did she go?”

The fishing merchant overheard and pointed behind him. “Curious about our rig,” he told them.

Kairos scurried past the barrels of lobster and shellfish, nets and buoys stacked up on the side of the wharf, Rory at his heels. He hurried past pilings where seagulls nested. The floating pier wavered when he stepped on it, and Kairos got his balance. He despised being on the water and sauntered with extreme caution past several row boats tied along the dock. At the end of the pier rocked the merchant’s fishing rig with nets piled high on their deck. Erika stood near the rig, speaking to three men standing by a small skiff.

“Since I am the king’s daughter making this request, I don’t see where you have a choice. We’ll pay you well.” Erika said.

“Erika?” Kairos cleared his throat. She had an especially cheerful smile when she looked at him. The blue cloak she wore seemed to make her eyes sparkle as it radiated the color of the sky. He hadn’t noticed the armor she wore under her cloak before. Why, he wondered. Women are a mysterious lot, and all of King Tobias’ daughters more so than most. He breathed deeply and waited to hear more of the conversation as a gentle sea breeze blew on him. Indeed, fresh sea air had its appeal.

“Whatever is the king’s command.” An older angler said, his face weathered by the sea with dark skin and an unkempt beard. “But if we take your horses home, how will your father know we didn’t just steal them?”

Erika pulled a dagger from her sheath.

Kairos opened his eyes wide and stepped back.

“What are you doing, Fairest?” the wizard asked, his heart skipping a beat. She continued to grin, cut a small curl from her hair, and handed it to a sailor.

“Bring this to my father. He’ll know it’s from me and he’ll pay you well for your boat.”

The man stared at the lock of red hair glistening in the palm of his hand.

“Then it’s settled. Is it not?” she asked the fisher. “You may keep that, if you like,” she added.

He clenched the lock in his fist, nodded to his two friends, and handed Rory the line that held the bow of the boat.

“Tight lines, to you, Fairest,” he said, and the three hurried down the dock.

When they had gone, Erika exhaled joyfully. “Well, Wizard, it appears as though you don’t have to ride horseback to the castle after all.”

“What?” Kairos asked.

“Fairest,” Rory interrupted, wearing a frown.

“You can return if you like, Rory, Kairos. I have money to give you for a carriage.”

“Where are you goin’?” Rory turned to the boat, inspecting it, his nervousness clearly more productive than Kairos who stood silently gawking.

“I’m taking care of matters in Cho Nisi. I couldn’t feel better about this.”

“You know how to be mannin’ the sails?” Rory stepped into the skiff, checking the lines, the helm.

“I’ve never done it before, but I’m sure I can learn.”

“Pardon my saying so but goin’ out ta sea by yourself isn’t the safest way to learn.”

“What in the name of our King’s gods are you doing?” Kairos' heart had already skipped three beats. He couldn’t let her go afloat by herself. Unspeakable!

“Kairos, I have to make things right. I will offer myself hostage to these people as they negotiate with my father for his army’s protection. Many people of inferior status have offered the same ransom. How can they refuse?”

“They’ll hang you.”

“No, I don’t think so. I’m King Tobias’ daughter.”

“I’m sure that means nothing to them. In fact, it might make matters worse. The king’s daughter kills their king? No, Erika, you’re not thinking. They’ll lynch you.”

“I’m going in peace, Kairos. This act is for their benefit.”

“I won’t have it! I’m taking you back to the castle,” Kairos took her arm, but she pushed him away.

“I’m doing this, Kairos. You can’t stop me.”

“I’m going to try.”

“I order you to silence, in the name of my Father.” She spoke with authority, and Kairos had to obey. He shut his mouth and bit his tongue, trying to keep it closed, all the while his cheeks burned hot and swelled with anger and fear for her.

“Fairest, if that’s what you’re going to do, I can’t be letting you go alone. Not in a boat with no sea knowledge,” Rory interjected.

“You know how to sail?”

“My grandfather had a skiff, not unlike this one here. Fished the Fairmistle River, we did. Perch and sturgeon. Made some plump, merry meals! I can get you across the sea to where you’re goin’ if you’re swearin’ to go.”

“You’ll attend me, then?” She clapped her hands and her face lit up. “Kairos? And you?” She turned to him.

Holy idols! She wanted him to sail to Cho Nisi with her? Without the king knowing. Without Rhea? Preposterous! Yet he couldn’t let Erika go alone, not with just one lone soldier. He promised King Tobias he’d watch after his daughter, but this is ridiculous—tenacious and willful Erika who, unfortunately, held authority over him.

“Will they see this as an invasion?” Rory asked as he loosened a line from the jib.

“I don’t mean it to be, Rory. We’ll see what sort of reception they award us.”

“And when we arrive? What plans do you have?” Kairos asked leeringly. “Before I step into this snare?”

“The perfect scenario would be to apologize for the death of their king and offer my father’s protection by claiming the empty throne. They may keep me as hostage if they fear an advance, in which case you and Rory can return and tell my father. From there Father can negotiate. Or perhaps I can negotiate for their allegiance. If I’m successful, Father will have an island as a fortress.”

Kairos raised one brow.

“Are you coming? Please.”

Rory had already untied the boat, and the bow bounced gently in the water, veering away from the dock. Kairos growled and then climbed in, holding his nose with one hand to ward off the fishy smell. He squinted at Erika, angry that she could make him do something against his will.

“I never agreed with what your sister said about you. Until now—” he said. “Now I’m seeing she’s fairly accurate with her assessment.”

“Rhea knows nothing about me, Kairos.” She lifted her chin and stepped in the skiff, Rory giving her a hand. “If you must know, the reason I’m traveling to Cho Nisi is because I killed their king. I’m heartsick over it. I’ve left them vulnerable and open to many perils. I’ve seen skura attacks firsthand. Yes, the Cho Nisi have magic, but no one knows how long they can hold their own. There are thousands of skura, and the island now has no leader. My father can remedy that by offering protection under our kingdom. And you, the King’s Wizard, have magic against skura as well.”

“Tested only on one lone bat!”

“I have faith in you, Kairos. This is the least I can do, even if it puts my life in jeopardy.”

“And if the Cho Nisi decide to hang you?”

“You can help me with that.”

“I’m to stop them?”

“You wouldn’t?” she asked.

Kairos’ cheeks heated, and he held onto the side of the boat. “I would do my best to see that you’re safe, Fairest. But I’m not exactly sure how capable my powers are. That’s a magical island, Fairest. They have spells…”

“Oh, the Cho Nisi won’t be hangin’ our princess, Sir Kairos,” Rory assured him. “We won’t be lettin’ them touch her,” Rory picked up an oar and pushed the skiff from the dock. “I think it’s an honorable deed, Fairest, and I’ll be supportin’ you best I can as a soldier for King Tobias. Makin’ the island safe from the dark lord. Helping the natives. Honorable, indeed!”

Kairos settled himself in the boat without saying another word. After drifting to deeper water, Rory lifted the halyard and set the skiff to sail. By mid-morning, they sailed.

“Perfect weather for being on the water, feel that crisp breeze?”

“Cold,” Kairos mumbled, wrapping his cloak tighter around himself.

“The sun is warm.”

“The sun is warm.” Erika seated herself at the prow while Kairos huddled at the stern, Rory in the center with the oars.

Cottony clouds adorned the heavens, and the boat drifted quietly under them, boosted by the wind.

Kairos had to admit, the sun warmed his back.

They traveled the entire day, drifted in the moonlight at night, and by sunrise drew near enough to see the island.