Laughter drifted through the halls of Castle Rysen. Esben leaned against the wall, smiling, as Artham danced with one of the noblemen’s daughters, a young girl named Arundelle. They were twirling and swirling along with the others, all celebrating the victory against the pirates.
“Are you going to dance?”
Esben looked up to see his friend, Dike, from the central mountains. He only ever came to Rysen for parties and festivals, something which Esben, who would often visit the mountains with his father, consistently teased him about.
“With who?” Esben grinned. “I already fulfilled my princely duties and danced with three of the country girls. Now I can do whatever I want.”
Dike smirked. “Sounds promising!”
“What do you have in mind?”
“How about we borrow one of the skiffs? I’ve missed the sea.”
“I keep telling you that you should move here!”
“Ah, but I like the mountains too.”
“What a quandary.”
Dike punched him in the shoulder. “Oh, hush. Are you coming or not?”
“Sure thing. Let’s take out the Sea Dragon. She’s a beauty.”
The two boys hurried out of the castle and into the courtyard outside. They ducked behind a tree to avoid being spotted by Lord Reven, who Esben couldn’t stand talking to due to his infamous belief in his own superiority, and then raced out the gate into the city.
People laughed and danced in the streets, and the sound of whistleharps and other musical instruments filled the air like birdsongs.
Esben and Dike ran to the docks, where they stepped onboard one of the small, sleek skiffs. Dike untied the ship while Esben unfurled the sail. Soon, they caught the breeze and were soaring over the waves.
“My, I wish I’d brought my sketchbook!” Esben exclaimed.
“You’d work on your T.H.A.G.s now?” Dike snorted. “Come on, we’re celebrating!”
“Unlike you, I like drawing,” Esben shot back.
“Yeah, well, I’d prefer to be a Limner. Unfortunately, my sister was born first. Funnily enough, she’d rather do music.”
“Why don’t your parents let you switch?”
“Oh, they’re very strict about traditions. Maybe your father could order them to let us.”
Esben laughed. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s how kingship works.”
“It is everywhere except Anniera.”
“Which is why I’m thankful I live here.”
“Me too, though I don’t think the Green Hollows would be that bad . . .” Dike’s voice trailed off. “Do you see that?”
“Yes.” Esben’s hands tensed on the steering wheel. “It’s a Hollish messenger ship. They’re some of the fastest boats on the Dark Sea.” He swallowed, fear seizing him.
Why would a Hollish messenger be sent to Anniera when his parents were in the Green Hollows?
“We need to get to shore,” Esben said sharply. “Now.”
. . . .
The council chamber was silent in shock. Bonifer and the seven council lords sat around the table, their expressions lined with sorrow. Esben sat frozen in his seat, numb, stunned, shaking.
“How did it happen?” Artham asked, his voice strained.
“Your aunt sacrificed her life for yer father,” the Hollish messenger said softly. “When the assassin broke into the Keep, she jumped in front of his dart and cut ‘im down with a knife. The healers were summoned at once, of course, but the poison had entered her bloodstream. There was nothing we could do for her, or for the Keeper. They were both dead in only a matter of hours.”
“Why?” Esben choked out. “Why would summon want to kill my father and the Keeper? We’re not at war with anyone.”
“Do you —” Artham swallowed. “Do you think the Symian pirates could have been involved?”
The Hollish messenger shrugged. “I don’t know. Ye’d have to speak with yer father about that. He and the Queen will be across the strait shortly, but they wanted the news to reach ye as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Esben said faintly. He stood, swaying. “I’m – I’m going to my room.”
Without another word, he swept out of the chamber. He broke into a run and raced upstairs. Throwing open the door to his bedroom, he stumbled in and threw himself onto his bed. Tears stung his eyes, but he squeezed them shut, refusing to let them spill.
Behind him, he heard footsteps. Then Artham sat down on the bed next to him.
“She’s in a better place now,” he said, his voice breaking. “Aunt Illia always said she wanted to go down fighting. This is what she wanted: for us and Papa to be safe.”
“Are we safe?” Esben sat up, trembling. “Wouldn’t we be safer if she was still alive?”
“I don’t know,” Artham whispered.
“She was always teasing us,” Esben said. “She was always joking about finding a husband and giving us cousins. And remember those flips she used to do?”
Artham nodded. “She was always promising to teach me how to do those.”
Esben choked, his tears fighting to fall. Artham hesitated, then reached out and hugged him.
“It’s okay,” he murmured. “I’m sad too.” His voice broke and his own tears spilled across his cheeks. “I’ll miss her so much.”
“Me too,” Esben mumbled. “Me too.”
Chapter V