lover, he leaned against the stone arch of the outer wall’s gateway and took me in with a smile as rich as wine.
“The Nine Fathers be praised,” said Gonnaban, “Gwey is here.” Gonnaban stomped off.
I strode toward Gwey and presented my hand. He took it with a subversive smile and kissed it gently and bowed.
“These past weeks have kept you well, Highness,” he said, his eyes the color of mischief. “When the prince’s horns welcomed you to the city, their sound warmed my heart.”
“You’re too rich not to know what’s afoot, my dear Gwey. What can I do for you on this day the kingdom is imperiled?” I asked, forestalling any other goal.
“I was coming to ask your brother to lift the ban on the harbor. It would seem that fourteen of the royal navy have blocked us in, and I have a ship loaded with goods bound for Irritirri, a little port in the Sand Republics.”
“The navy has sent only twelve ships, Gwey. Does your urgency push you to lie to win my support?” I asked.
“Ah,” he said, raising a finger, “that was before the dear admiral permitted his captains to seize ships for the present emergency. Four have been so borrowed, two of which have already sailed from sight, and another four are being emptied. Fourteen of Pulgatt’s fleet now blockade us to encourage ships to stay to be borrowed. I would like my ship to be gone before it is borrowed.” He shrugged. “A small favor to beg, surely. Perhaps you can ask Eric yourself?”
I smiled at the game. Gwey already knew the answer and came to ask anyway. He and Eric had crossed paths years ago when Eric was cleansing the city of its corruption, chief among it Gwey’s father Udderopt, a harbor master swollen with bribes. Now the two passed amiably enough so long as I was absent, but Gwey could not resist.
“I would be happy to ask his highness, but I should warn you it may take several weeks; we have a number of pressing matters at present, the safety of Avandi, for instance.” I patted him affectionately on the cheek and turned on my heel.
“I hope to see you soon with his answer, Princess. You have but to send word!” he called behind me.
“Duties permitting, Gwey,” I answered and reentered the palace.
I made my way quickly to Eric’s throne room. Eric sat, chin perched intently in hand, as a kneeling guard spoke with urgency. Gonnaban sat awkwardly on a gilded chair to Eric’s left. Three other city guards, captains by the look of them, stood beside the kneeling guard. I entered quietly and stood behind the captains as the guard finished his report.
“Very well,” said Eric, straightening in his seat. “Bring her to me when she’s rested. Treat her warmly and see to it she has something to eat. Ask one of the serving girls to keep her company.”
The guard nodded, bowed, and marched away, saluting me as he passed.
Eric looked through the three captains to me. “Well, High General, our mysterious fleet is closer than we had hoped and they still struggle to maintain secrecy. Another ship has been overtaken and this one within sight of land.”
Surprised at my presence, the captains turned to me and saluted quickly. I returned the gesture promptly and looked past them to Eric.
“The girl?” I asked.
“Her mother saw the father’s sailing vessel approaching at great speed, but it was for naught. A great golden ship filled with dark figures forced it to stand down, and he was boarded.”
“Only a single ship?”
“Pickets, Your Highness,” Gonnaban said, and then caught himself having interrupted the prince. “If you’ll beg my pardon,” he added.
Eric looked at Gonnaban, smiled, and turned again to me. “A scout,” he said, “hoping to stop any word from reaching shore.”
“But they were within sight of land already,” I returned. “Surely the surprise is gone.”
“The village of Temladow has a lighthouse. The girl’s mother brings the keepers their lunch. From that height she saw her husband’s ship boarded,” Eric said. “And now they will land somewhere north of Temladow well before nightfall. Two hundred ships of dark figures that grown men call demons.” He looked to his city captains and stood slowly, a single stately movement like a ship cresting a wave. “Begin patrols and sound the watch.”
***** ***** *****
The horns of the city were still sounding when Gonnaban and I finished our war plans. Riders had been dispatched to the east, north, and south. Those