Chapter Nineteen – Preparations

  Fulgaday, 11 Tamihr, Year of Folivor the Restful Sloth, 489 years AWA

  Royal Palace, Candibaru, Andovarra

  Kere turned to face the others, her voice carrying quiet concern. “So the next question is, do each of you need to be anywhere in the next month or so?"

  Cali responded immediately, her serene expression unchanged. "I don't, though I sense this journey has a purpose beyond what we can see. Divine paths often reveal themselves suddenly.”

  Wenthe's tail swished with barely contained excitement as she spoke. "I am from Tamandre originally, and I was kidnapped and sold into slavery. I had intended to go back home and let my family know I'm alright, but I don't suppose I have to do that right away. Monoffa originally planned to come with me."

  Monoffa clapped her hands together with sudden realization. "Oh yes, I forgot about that!" she said with an embarrassed grin that was more endearing than apologetic.

  Perx crossed his arms, but his expression showed interest rather than reluctance. "I've been landlocked too long. Need to feel a deck beneath my feet again and taste salt air. 'Bout all I do is study magic, and I can do that any time."

  Neric bounced slightly on his toes, already mentally rearranging his schedule. "Oh, I'll have to delay my investigation of the Brotherhood of the Bronze Hammer, not to mention dramatically bow out of a few inn performances—the show must NOT go on, as they say! But honestly, escorting royalty? That's the kind of tale that'll have audiences hanging on every word! And I might be able to earn some money to fund my investigation of the Brotherhood, too.”

  Jori nodded curtly, his practical nature showing. “On the one hand, the jobs I tend to take are fairly open ended. I can give a few people a heads up I won't be around, and that’s easy enough. But the Whispering Tides cove…I had planned to stay around to fight the fast-tracking of the auxiliary port project.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’d like to do this escort job, but…” he trailed off.

  Adjusting his spectacles, Perx asked Jori, “Didn’t you hear about the snafu with the fast-track?”

  “Oh!” gasped Kere suddenly, her eyes widening. “I knew there was something I was forgetting to tell you, Jori. There’s something I need to tell you about that.” She leaned forward intently. “I heard this in Afa Masina today before we met up—Director Galaren may have approved the fast-track, but the builders are completely tied up on another project for a month at least.” She paused to take a breath. “And here’s the best thing. Those builders are the only ones capable of doing that project. And the master builder in charge of them has to sign off on any changes to the schedule, but he’s out of town for the next month. So while the builders might still break ground on the project earlier than they would have been able to without the fast track, it won’t be by much.”

  Jori’s expression shifted from resignation to hope. “You’re certain about this?”

  Kere nodded. “Galaren’s assistant Itakor is one of the ones I heard it from. Decide for yourself if he’s worth believing.”

  Jori nodded with an appreciative grin to both Perx and Kere, then Neric told him with his usual enthusiasm, “I know politics isn’t really your thing, Jori, but if we succeed at this mission, you’ll gain credibility and, potentially, access to higher authorities who might be able to put a stop to the port expansion. Succeeding at this mission could give you some much needed political capital for Whispering Tides.”

  Jori gave a sharp laugh. “Mother has always said that part of succeeding in politics is bringing your project before the right people. I never imagined I’d ever find that advice useful.”

  Jenna spoke softly, as was her way. "I need to... acquire certain supplies. And there are texts I should review. But I can manage both before departure." She turned to

  Kere with gentle concern. "What about you?"

  "I need to get word to my parents and let them know," said Kere, already mentally composing the message. "Jori and I take on a lot of the same jobs, so I should let those people know as well. Other than that, I guess there's not really any reason why I can't."

  A part of her mind spoke with nagging worry. Doing the Trials of Eight with Jori was one thing—that’s an afternoon with six other people present. But twenty days together on a crowded ship? Granted, those same six other people are going to be present, not to mention Prince Sondil and the other members of the crew. How in the world am I going to manage those moments when we’re sure to be alone together?

  Jori stepped toward her slightly. "I'll tell them on your behalf. You just worry about telling your parents."

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  Kere stepped back from him almost reflexively, thinking, There’s no question that that would be the most efficient way to do things. But if we’re broken up, is it wrong for me to let him? She finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.

  Rothlan cleared his throat politely. "I am sure the King will be happy to send runners on behalf of any of you who need messages delivered."

  A few minutes later, the King re-entered the room with measured steps, accompanied by a thinner young man in his early 20s who had his father's blue eyes and hair of a much lighter shade of brown, along with four guards. The King's bearing showed his expectation of a decision. "So, have you decided?"

  Jori straightened, speaking with formal precision. "We will accept this job, Your Majesty."

  "Excellent," said the King, his satisfaction evident. Gesturing to the young man, he said, "This is my second son, Sondil. Sondil, this is your escort to Takatari. You will be leaving in the morning and are welcome to stay at the Palace if you need a place to stay. Now, I am afraid I have other business to attend to. Why don't you all get acquainted and then Rothlan will give you your rewards?" And he swept out of the room with characteristic efficiency, followed by two of the guards.

  Monoffa studied Sondil for several long moments before declaring, “You flinch before the brightness of yellow starbursts that taste like copper coins.”

  A perplexed and slightly panic-stricken look came over Sondil’s face. He opened his mouth as if to ask for clarification, then closed it, clearly struggling between his desire for precise communication and his diplomatic training.

  Cali stepped forward with natural grace, offering a warm smile, and decided to follow Kere’s earlier example with King Eldoran. “Please do not mind Monoffa. She speaks a little oddly sometimes when she picks up on someone’s emotions. I believe she is saying…” and she paused a moment, looking for the right words. “…that you find it uncomfortable receiving a lot of attention.” She then shifted to her own greeting. “It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sondil. Is there a title I should call you by? Prince Sondil, perhaps?”

  Sondil said, “In private, I prefer to be called Sondil, but in public, ‘Prince Sondil’ is acceptable.” His gaze was drawn immediately to Cali's distinctive hair, studying it with obvious fascination before catching himself and looking her in the eyes. "You seem to be from Kalaina, by your accent. And yes,” he added with a nod for

  Monoffa, “I do not find attention to be overly comfortable.”

  "I am originally from Kalaina, yes," Cali agreed with her characteristic serene patience, "although it has been a number of years since I have been back there."

  "Why does your hair glow so strangely, if you don't mind my asking?" His curiosity was genuine but polite.

  "I am Half-Celestial.” Cali’s voice carried the same matter-of-fact tones she had used when explaining this fact before the Trials of Eight.

  Sondil studied her more closely with scholarly interest, then caught himself and met the others’ eyes. "It is nice to meet all of you as well. I tend to get rather seasick on a ship, so you may not see much of me on our journey since our stocks of Highleaf Elixir are low and this trip isn't important enough to merit my using our reserves. I am fortunate enough, however, to be able to marry the person I would choose as my bride, so I cannot complain."

  Cali tilted her head with gentle curiosity. "Highleaf Extract? What's that?"

  Perx answered with the precision of someone who'd dealt with seasickness before. "An anti-seasickness remedy out of the Confederated Islands of Matalis. Rakau, I believe."

  Sondil nodded to Perx with approval. "Just so." He then turned to the companions. “Do any of you need any equipment or aid with travel preparations?”

  Jenna said in the soft tones she normally spoke with, “I use..certain alchemical preparations…when I fight, but my gear is rather bulky, and when I came to the Trials, I prepared what I needed so I could leave the bulky pieces behind. I will need them for this escort mission. I don’t live all that far from here, but I will need to leave the palace, then return with my gear. Do I need something…a pass, perhaps…to be allowed back here? And, I will need something with wheels or perhaps a person to help me lug it back here as well.”

  Sondil nodded, a solution quickly coming to him. “I can send one of the guards with you. That will take care of both problems. If you will wait to leave until after you have received your reward, I will have the guard meet you at the main entrance.” He withdrew a small leather portfolio and made a brief notation, his movements precise and economical.

  Jenna nodded, and Sondil asked, “Anyone else?”

  Kere now spoke up. “I have a dolphin companion, Meri, who always travels with me when I am at sea. I would very much like to bring her with me, as it would be a great opportunity to test her on some of the things I’ve been teaching her. Had I known about this mission ahead of time, I could have told her to wait at the Afa Masina harbor, but I didn’t, so I’m going to have to find her. I’ve an underwater whistle which has always worked for summoning her, but it might be best if I were to leave maybe half a bell before the others in the morning to allow sufficient time for her to arrive. I am quite familiar with the Afa Masina harbor; if you would tell me where the ship we’ll be taking is berthed, I can meet you there.”

  "Separating the group creates unnecessary variables," Sondil said, his tone carrying the certainty of someone who'd already considered multiple contingencies.

  "Delayed departures cascade into scheduling conflicts throughout the day. Could you summon her after dinner, if I assign a guard to escort you?”

  Kere shifted uncomfortably, her fingers moving to touch the dolphin-shaped focus at her throat. "Sondil, when I woke up this morning, I only expected to compete in the trials." Her voice grew quieter, more uncertain. "Today has already brought so many unexpected turns, and I... I have this feeling there will be more before morning." She glanced at her companions, then back to Sondil. "I'm worried that if I promise to go to Afa Masina tonight, something else might come up that I need to handle, and then I'd be breaking my word to you. I don't want to let anyone down, but I also don't feel right making promises when I can't see what's coming." A faint tone of frustration colored her voice.

  Rothlan nodded thoughtfully, his expression showing the consideration of someone weighing practical concerns. He said to Sondil, “She has the right of it—we've asked her to commit without proper preparation time. You've two sound choices before you: let her go ahead as she requests, or allow extra time in the morning for her companion's arrival."

  Sondil said to Kere, “I’d still prefer you not go ahead of us. How long do you think it will take to summon your dolphin?”

  “Hard to say with certainty,” replied Kere, thinking. “I’ve never summoned her from the harbor before, but I’d estimate five minutes at best and twenty or more at worst.”

  Sondil’s tone bore the resignation of necessary compromise. “I’ll give you twenty minutes—after that, we have to leave. But we’ll need to all arrive at the harbor twenty minutes early, too.”

  Then Sondil turned to Rothlan with brisk efficiency. "Are you going to set those who want to stay the night here up with quarters, or do I need to do that?"

  Rothlan placed a hand on Sondil's shoulder with obvious affection. "I'll take care of that, Sondil."

  Wenthe's natural curiosity bubbled over, and she asked with characteristic directness, "Wait, wait—you're Prince Sondil in public but just Sondil in private? How does that work? That's fascinating!"