led Midalis to the far left first, coming to the warship farthest out. They reached her and managed to scramble up over her side without incident. Pony motioned the proper direction to the prince, then reached into another belt pouch and pulled forth a candle and a shielding globe.
She set it down low on the rail, between two balustrades, blocking the light with the globe from all directions save one, the one facing out toward the approaching fleet.
Then the two went over the side and on to the next ship in line, repeating the process. They had five marked when they noted the approach of the silent fleet, and knew that they were running short on time.
"They will find the others without our assistance," Pony assured Midalis, and she took his hand and started off toward the vessel moored in the center of the second rank, the closest ship to the wharves.
They went aboard easily, and both knew at once that this ship wasn't nearly as deserted as the others. Pony didn't hesitate, though, but motioned for Midalis to follow as she headed straight for the large deck cabin set at the stern of the large three-master.
"Are you ready?" Pony asked.
The man just grinned, obviously thrilled by his companion's unexpected daring.
Pony walked through the door, guiding Midalis to the side of the outside jamb as she did.
The men inside, nearly a dozen, looked up from the coin-covered table that was set between them.
"What're... ?" one started to say.
"Greetings," said Pony.
Several of the men stood up; a couple went for their weapons.
"Earl DePaunch sent us a bit of funning, did he?" one sailor asked lewdly.
"Bah, this one's a bit old for that!" another added.
"Do none of you recognize me?" Pony replied, filling her voice with sad resignation. "And for all those years that I sailed beside you, on River Palace."
That widened a few eyes.
"Queen Jilseponie!" one man gasped, and now they seemed even more confused, and more went for their weapons, though those who already held theirs let them slip down toward the floor.
"So quick were you all to forget," Pony scolded. "Me, and your proper royal line!" As she finished, she pulled Prince Midalis from around the corner.
One man screamed, another fell over trying to leap up from his seat, and two lifted weapons, gave a unified battle cry, and leaped forward to attack.
But Pony was the quicker, lifting her hand and jolting the pair with a sudden blast of lightning that lifted them into the air and threw them to the back of the room.
Other men moved as if to ready an attack, but Pony waved her hand about.
"Shame on you all!" she scolded. "I bring you your rightful king!"
"Aydrian is king!" one sailor growled back.
"So says Aydrian," Prince Midalis calmly replied. "I intend to tell him differently, and you" - he paused and pointed all around at them - "all of you, would do well to consider the choices that lie before you. I understand that you have been misled, and will pardon you to a man. But only if you choose wisely!"
As he finished, they all heard a commotion on the deck behind.
"Bah, now ye're to get yers, phony prince!" one man cried, and the others growled and bristled, some shaking their weapons.
But then they all dropped back as the giant centaur came in the door between Pony and the prince, Bradwarden's huge bow drawn and readied with an arrow that seemed more a spear.
"I'm thinkin' that any smart ones among ye might be dropping yer weapons to the floor," he said. "One o' yerselfs that don't'll be getting pinned to the back wall, to be sure!"
Pony lifted her gemstone again to add her weight to the threat, and Midalis drew out his fine sword.
"Weigh anchor!" came a cry from the deck. "Four ships taken already, milord! And more to fall soon enough."
"You will pardon me if I borrow your ship, good soldiers of Honce-the- Bear," Prince Midalis said, offering a salute with his sword. "Any who wish to sail with me, may indeed. Any who prefer Pireth Dancard will be placed on a rowboat and shoved away!"
"I must be away," Pony said, and she slipped to the side and kissed Midalis on the cheek for luck. "Don't you be sailing too far from me!"
she added. "And keep your beacons bright against the darkness."
She ran out then, pausing to salute the men, Alpinadoran and Bearman alike working hard at pulling up the anchor. Pony went over the