undergarm—I beg your pardon!” she squeaked.
“Apologies, madam,” the man said, hopping backward. “I believe I have everything I need. The ladies are the same size, are they not?”
I nodded.
“Very well. When will you need these by?” The man began to scribble notes on a piece of parchment.
“Within the hour,” Talin replied.
The tailor’s eyes goggled. “I’m afraid that’s impossible, sir.”
“Then find whatever you have ready-made that’s as close as possible to their size. Perhaps something for a young lad. We are in the greatest of hurries, I’m afraid. I’ll pay double for your best quality. We’ll be back soon.”
With that, Talin strode out, looking every bit the prince he was, as Zadie and I hurried to keep up.
We visited several other stores, purchasing the essentials for a week-long journey, as that was the most we could carry. It took everything I had not to stare slack-jawed at the sights around us. Riaga reminded me of the port market, only it was far, far larger. The streets were wide enough to accommodate two passing carriages, and people in all manner of dress crisscrossed the streets, hardly seeming to notice the horses rushing past them. Zadie gripped my arm as if she was afraid of getting swept up in the current. I didn’t blame her.
As promised, within an hour, we were back in the tailor’s shop. The man was wiping his bright red face with a handkerchief as a shop boy darted frantically around the cramped space, pulling various items off shelves.
“I believe these will fit,” the tailor said with a bow. “Would the ladies like to try them?”
Talin shook his head. “We don’t have time, unfortunately. We will take your word for it, sir.”
The man looked relieved. “Very well. Shall I wrap them up?”
“No time for that, either.” Talin pulled another sack of coins out of his tunic, dropped it on the counter, and asked the boys to gather up the garments. Zadie and I each took a pair of boots in our hands and followed Talin outside, where Grig and Osius waited with the horses and other supplies.
“We need to get out of the city as fast as possible,” Osius said when we joined them. “I saw several of Ceren’s guards patrolling the streets. They must be waiting for the ship to come back.”
I grabbed Talin’s arm. “Wait. We should see the kite seller before we go.”
“There’s no time—”
I leveled him with my sternest glare. “If you think I’m not going to take every opportunity to search for Sami now that I’m on land, you clearly don’t know me at all.”
Talin’s eyes darted to Osius, who looked like a fish caught in a net.
“Very well,” Talin sighed. “Grig, see if you can find out where this kite seller lives.”
Within a few minutes, Grig had learned of the kite seller’s address from the tailor, who seemed happy to oblige after being paid so handsomely. We made our way to the outskirts of the city, where we stopped in front of a small house set back from the street. There were kites dangling from the eaves on fishing line.
“Nor, Zadie, do you want to go in?” Talin asked. “We’ll stay outside and keep watch. Please, be quick.”
We nodded and handed our bundles of clothing to Grig and Osius, then made our way up the stone walkway to the front door. As sure as I’d been that the rose and song were a sign, my stomach was twisting itself in knots. If I was wrong, if Sami hadn’t made it...
Zadie took my hand and looked at me, and I could see in her eyes she was struggling with her own fear and doubt. I squeezed her hand and knocked on the door.
A moment later, it opened as if on its own. It wasn’t until I glanced down that I realized a small girl had opened it.
“Who are you?” she asked, glancing between Zadie and me.
I leaned down to look her in the eye. “I’m a friend of your father’s. Is he home?”
She turned and moved into the house without a word, then returned a moment later with a man who looked to be my father’s age. “Who are you?” he asked, in the same mildly curious tone as the child.
I blushed, realizing my mistake. “I’m sorry. I believe I know your father,” I said to the man. “The kite seller?” I added hopefully.
“I see.” The man shook his head and motioned for us to follow him inside. “My father is full of surprises lately.”
Zadie