is not as populous as it used to be, and it is by far the most populous city in Elvendom.’
‘I look forward to seeing it.’
‘You will be made welcome there.’ She reached out and touched his arm. It was as if a sudden electric shock passed between them. ‘Whatever your business is.’
‘I am to be presented to the Phoenix King.’ He leaned forward, moving his head closer to hers. Their breaths seemed to mingle in the air before them.
‘Then you have nothing to fear. There was never a fairer nor more open-handed ruler than Finubar. He is from Lothern you know. The first Phoenix King ever to come from our city and our land. It is a sign of the times.’
‘How so?’ He looked directly into her eyes.
‘You have the strangest eyes,’ she said. ‘There are gold flecks in them, the colour of the sun.’
‘You have very lovely eyes,’ he said. ‘Like the sea.’
She pulled back a little as if suddenly aware of their closeness. ‘You asked me about the times.’
‘I did,’ he said, knowing that delay before gratification was part of this game.
‘Our land grows in power and wealth and influence in proportion to the growth of our trade with the humans. I do not doubt it is the richest city in Ulthuan.’
‘Surely wealth isn’t everything,’ Tyrion said. It was what his father would have said and it seemed right to him.
‘No,’ the sailor agreed. ‘But it counts for a lot. It takes a heap of money to pay for our fleets and build our ships and equip our armies. It is not something to be despised.’
She sounded almost defensive and Tyrion could guess why. The elves of Lothern were often looked down on by the inhabitants of the other elven lands. They were seen as money-grubbing merchants, not proud warriors or noble wizards. Now did not seem like a good time to mention this though.
‘It takes a mountain of gold to fight a war,’ said Tyrion. ‘Caledor the Conqueror said that, and he was one of the greatest generals who ever lived.’
‘And he was right. Although it takes swords and spells also.’
‘I am going to be a warrior,’ said Tyrion.
‘I do not doubt it. You have the look of one,’ she said. ‘You will be made a White Lion at least, if Master Korhien has his way. He is very proud of you.’
Tyrion laughed. He was pleased and flattered to be told this. ‘That would be a great honour.’
‘It would be, but if it’s battle you want you should join the Sea Guard of Lothern. My brother is one and he has fought in many frays.’
‘I will be happy to join any company of warriors,’ said Tyrion. ‘It is what I have always wanted to do.’
‘Isha rewards those who follow their dreams, or so I have heard say.’
‘I sincerely hope so,’ said Tyrion. He stared into the distance intently. He could hardly wait to reach the city. At that moment, it felt as if he only needed to stretch out his hand and whatever he wanted would fall into it.
He reached out for her and pulled her to him. Their lips touched. They shed their clothes swiftly. Soon their naked bodies moved in time to the motion of the ship and the gulls were not the only things who cried out.
‘Look at that,’ said Tyrion barely able to keep the wonder from his voice. To their left, the titanic tower of Lothern lighthouse loomed out of the sea. Its lights already blazed even as the sun started to slide below the horizon.
Ahead of them were the vast sea gates of the city, open at this moment to let ships pass through into the harbour beyond them. They were enormous things, cut out of the huge sea walls of the city, large enough for a tall-masted ship to sail through with room to spare.
‘You sound happy,’ said Teclis. ‘And have sounded so since you climbed down from the crow’s nest.’
‘I am always happy,’ said Tyrion.
‘Then you sound even happier than usual.’
Tyrion did not doubt that Teclis knew what had happened between him and the sailor girl. He could sometimes sense such things.
‘I am happy to see Lothern,’ said Tyrion.
‘Of course,’ said Teclis sourly. ‘That must be it.’
All around them ships moved in stately order towards the gate. There were human vessels with elf pilots aboard to guide them through the correct channels and to give the signals that would prevent the mighty siege engines on the walls from opening