Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) - Mara Rutherford Page 0,21

pressed closer to me, her nervous energy radiating through our linked hands. “What do you mean?” I asked.

He shrugged and held the door wider. “You’re the second stranger to show up at our door this month.”

7

The kite seller sat at the head of a long rectangular table, his family members clustered behind our chairs. I could feel them pressing in closer, clearly curious about us. There were a dozen of them all told, including seven grandchildren, living in a house not that much larger than my family’s home. Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel crowded. It felt warm and safe, and I wondered what it would be like to have a place where you could be completely yourself.

“I was wondering when you would come,” the kite seller said. His name was Rollo, and he was nearly eighty years old, though he looked as old as Varenia’s centenarians. “I know my message wasn’t entirely clear, but I had to protect our friend.”

“So Sami is alive?” Zadie asked, her face lit up with hope in a way I hadn’t seen since I returned.

“He was when I saw him last, but that was weeks ago.”

“But he made it to land,” I said to Zadie. “That’s what we were most worried about.” I turned back to Rollo. “Did he say where he was going?”

Rollo smiled. “I had hoped you might guess from the song.”

Of course, I realized suddenly. A song about horses would have come from the place we talked about most as children. “He went to Galeth!”

Rollo patted Zadie’s hand. “He was with a Galethian when I saw him last, yes. But I can’t say for certain that’s where he went.”

“Then we’ll start by going to Galeth,” I said to Zadie. “And if he isn’t there, we’ll search the entire continent until we find him.”

Zadie looked like she didn’t know whether to smile or cry. “But...Galeth? Isn’t that far away, in the north?”

Rollo nodded. “It is. And you’ll need to be very cautious. It’s not safe for two young ladies alone on the road, even when the kingdom isn’t preparing for war.”

“We’ll be careful, I promise. Thank you so much for your help.” I glanced at Zadie. “We should get on the road as soon as possible.”

Rollo stood, and his family members parted to let us cross the room toward the door. “Oh, one more thing.” He went to rummage in a trunk for a moment and came back bearing a crimson cloth neatly rolled.

I took it from his outstretched hands. “What is it?”

“It’s a Galethian flag. Hold it up when you reach the border, and if you’re lucky, you won’t be killed on sight.”

Zadie and I glanced at each other, our faces mirror images of concern. We had little to go on when it came to Galeth, just the stories Sami had told us growing up, which included the fact that every man, woman, and child was a member of their cavalry. We may share common ancestry with the Galethians, but that didn’t mean they would allow me, a wanted criminal, across the border.

“Thank you again,” I said as we crossed the threshold. “Not only for helping us, but also for helping Sami. I know it was a risk for you and your family.”

The old man smiled. “Samiel has been a good friend to me. He gave me a Varenian pearl when my kites were destroyed in a fire. It saved my family, and I have never forgotten his generosity.”

Suddenly, Zadie turned and embraced Rollo, who looked as startled as I was by the gesture. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for giving me hope.”

“Of course, child.” He held her at arm’s length so he could look into her eyes. “Hope is like a kite. Hold on to it tight enough, and even the fiercest storm can’t claim it.”

* * *

We made our way out of the city, finally stopping once we’d reached the forest. Behind the cover of trees, Grig and Osius laid out all our supplies and made an inventory while Talin, Zadie, and I discussed what we’d learned at Rollo’s house.

“Galeth,” Talin said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I admit it’s not the first place I would have looked for more troops. The Galethians are notorious for refusing to take sides, and it will take days to get there and back. Days we may not have. But so be it.”

“What are you saying?” I asked. “That you’ll come with us?”

Talin blinked in confusion. “Don’t tell me you thought you’d go on