Princess Gemi tilts her head nearer to me. “Come walk with me along the shore.”
I search Kali out across the table, eager to leave, but Indah and the admiral have engaged her in conversation. “Thank you, but I’m obligated to stay here.”
“Is your pining stare for the kindred an obligation?”
Gemi is too perceptive. “You aren’t told no often, are you?”
“You’d be the first,” she says, and I exhale a laugh.
“General Naik,” Ambassador Chitt says from my right, “may I have a word? It’s about your family.”
“Go on, Deven,” Princess Gemi says, her mouth upturned. “I’ll watch over the kindred.”
Kali overhears the princess and narrows her eyes at us. I lift a finger to her as I rise, indicating I will return momentarily. Chitt and I stroll down a pebble pathway toward the inlet.
“On my order, Pons has flown to Tarachand to find your family,” Chitt says.
As a Galer, Pons can ride the skies on a wing flyer, the fastest form of travel. We have not had access to the flying contraptions since leaving Iresh. I appreciate Pons’s and the ambassador’s assistance. “Thank you.”
“We’ll keep looking until we find them,” Chitt says. Although we just met, I am inclined to trust his word. He stops at the inlet, the palace lights shining onto the still water. “My friend from Janardan contacted me. A platoon of elephant warriors and bhuta soldiers escaped the demon rajah and are hiding. I may be able to convince them to join the battle in Iresh.”
Manpower from the Janardanian army would be advantageous. “Do you think they could meet us in time?”
“They should. Their troops travel by land barge,” Chitt explains. Tremblers power the stone-wheeled barges that are big enough to carry a herd of elephants. I have never seen one myself, though I have heard they are a sight to behold. “I’d leave in the morning to reach them.”
He sounds uncertain about going. I question why and then realize two things: I am the general of the imperial army and he is offering me his assistance, and he does not want to leave in case my mother and brother arrive. “You should go. We need all the troops we can gather.”
“Do you need to consult with Prince Ashwin?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll leave tomorrow.” Chitt’s gaze skitters to the cove and breaker, then back to me. “One more thing. The sea raiders were spotted offshore west of here. We have increased our lookout guards, but I thought you should be aware.”
I, too, examine the breaker from afar. “Can they get through?”
“There are ways,” Chitt admits, “but Captain Loc doesn’t wish to engage our entire navy. The admiral is aware and has put precautions in place for the voyage. You’ll be safe. I hope and pray that you—” He halts and bows, a swift change to formality. “May the gods be with you.”