“That’s obvious, but they were speaking Verrili, and so were you.” Then, Uthey smacked Tam on the back. “You’ve done us a service. My thanks, friend.”
Tam was uncomfortable being thanked for killing a man—at least, not only because they would receive extra food and water. He had done it for Malena, and she had been separated from them. He supposed it was better for her to join the women. He felt a drop of moisture on his hand and looked down. His nose was bleeding again. Then, it was as if a light burst before his eyes.
The port city of Havoth was in an uproar as Rezkin rode through the streets. He was surprised by the size of the fanfare, considering the event had only been planned and implemented in the little more than a week that it took to establish order in and return from Bromivah. Rezkin rode toward the rear of the procession, surrounded by royal guards and soldiers, while Moldovan’s coach was in the lead. It was a symbolic gesture, the ushering in of a new king. Farson and Mage Threll rode at his sides. The sounds of horns, pipes, and drums, and colorful scarves and shiny objects lobbed by jugglers filled the air. Acrobats twisted and flipped along the flanks, and amongst them, and Rezkin caught sight of a pair of blue eyes staring at him from behind a red mask.
Mage Threll erected a sound shield around the three of them, and then she and Farson fell into a discussion, with Rezkin silently existing between them.
She said, “You never told me he was a legitimate prince of Ashai.”
“I was not aware,” replied Farson.
“You knew.”
“I suspected. What does it matter to you?”
“It would have made the choice to follow him easier.”
“You made that decision on your own.”
“Yes, but I would not have been so conflicted.”
“You did not seem conflicted when you ran off with him against my wishes.”
Rezkin saw her glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He continued to survey the crowd, giving the appearance that he was not listening, even though he would have needed to be deaf not to hear them.
“I did not run off with him. I was running with the escapees.”
“You knew I was near and that I would come for you. You also knew I had forbidden you to go near him.”
She glanced at Rezkin again, and her expression turned to resolve. “You are glad I did. Besides keeping me safe, you desire nothing more than to be at his side.”
Farson did not answer, nor did he meet her accusatory gaze.
Rezkin said, “He desires only to keep me in his sights. He watches for weakness.”
Mage Threll turned to him. “You know that is untrue. He is depending on you to fix Ashai—and, I suppose, every other kingdom you have claimed.”
Farson muttered, “They would not need fixing if he would stop claiming them.”
Nanessy ignored her uncle and spoke to Rezkin, “At this point, you are the only one who can do it.”
Rezkin said, “If chaos reigns, someone will step in to seize power and instill order. My participation is unnecessary.”
“Your participation is necessary to ensure that it goes in our favor.”
He finally looked at her. “Who is to say that it should?”
She appeared surprised. “What do you mean?”
Rezkin returned his gaze to the crowd. “Your uncle knows me. He knows what I am. He does not believe I am worthy of kingship, yet I now bear several crowns. These people call me emperor. Perhaps I am the enemy you should seek to destroy.”
Farson glanced at him, but Mage Threll was having none of it. “You are not the one using demons to do your dirty work. It is spreading. It was a demon in the tower, was it not?”
Rezkin said, “I believe the demon was housed in the vessel. I killed Boulis before it could possess him.”
“Then what happened to it?”
“I would assume that, without another willing vessel, it returned to H’khajnak.”
She said, “I would prefer not to assume anything with regard to demons. How did it get here in the first place? I doubt Boulis had the power or knowledge to summon it.”
Farson said, “I doubt he had the courage.”
“No,” replied Rezkin. “He waited until the last minute. He had hoped to gain power without it. Someone else was behind the demon.”
When they arrived at the docks, Moldovan made a show of boarding Stargazer with all the pomp and circumstance due a departing king. Rezkin felt that by agreeing to wear the impractical attire, he had fulfilled his duty; but, Moldovan had been disappointed, desiring to bedeck Rezkin in such royal fashion as to make movement practically impossible. As it was, he wore an outfit similar to the impromptu coronation attire, except that the king’s amulet hung around his neck, and his short cape had been replaced with a long, black cloak lined with soft, black and silver pelts.
Rezkin offered an obligatory wave toward the crowd then turned to examine the ship repairs. Stargazer was in top condition. Beside him, Moldovan said, “I took the liberty of having your ship repaired. The shipwright said he had never seen such damage, and the other vessel had virtually none, yet they surrendered.”
“That’s because the third ship was obliterated,” said a female voice from behind him.
Rezkin turned to see Reaylin standing there with a hand on her hip.
Moldovan narrowed his eyes at the young woman wearing the panels of a healer’s apprentice over warrior’s armor. He said, “I shall be intrigued to hear the tale.”
Reaylin glanced at Moldovan curiously then turned to Rezkin. She looked him up and down and smiled suggestively. “You look better than ever. I don’t see anything that needs healing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make you feel better.”
Rezkin said, “I am well, Reaylin, how is Frisha?” He had learned his lesson. He was supposed to check on Frisha—always.
Reaylin rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Why are you wearing a crown?”
Rezkin glanced at Shezar who had joined them for the briefing before returning to the Ashaiian ship. They had renamed it Sea Devil, in recognition of its tumultuous past. Shezar said, “We did not know how much to tell them, so we said nothing.”
Rezkin turned back to Reaylin. “This is King Moldovan—”
“Prince Moldovan,” the former king said. He grinned and said, “Somehow, just saying it makes me feel a bit younger.” The old man looked up at Rezkin and said, “But, you have my permission to call me grandfather.”
Reaylin’s eyes were wide as she glanced between the two of them. Rezkin said, “Have my belongings moved. Prince Moldovan may take my quarters.”
Moldovan said, “Nonsense. You are the emperor. We must ensure that everyone remembers that.” He frowned at Reaylin. “Have my belongings placed in one of the other berths. I will make it a priority to teach your people how to show their emperor proper respect.”
Reaylin glanced at Rezkin. “Emperor?”
Rezkin turned to Moldovan. “This is Apprentice Healer Reaylin de Voss. She is … a friend. She need not observe the formalities”—he looked back to Reaylin—“so long as she continues to adhere to her oath.” Then, he said, “Do as Prince Moldovan requests, and send for Frisha.”
Reaylin bobbed her head and strutted away, swinging her hips a bit more than necessary.
A few minutes later, Frisha strode up to them. She glanced at his attire but did not ask. She said, “Welcome back.”
“Are you well?” he said.
She nodded. “Yes, as well as can be. Why?”
He said, “I felt it important to inquire as to your well-being.”
She blinked at him and lifted her chin. “Oh. I am well, thank you. You don’t need to check on me all the time.”
He said, “You were upset when I did not.”
“Well, yes, but that was before, and nothing has happened since you disappeared.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “How many did you kill this time? Any new wives I should know about?”
Moldovan looked at Rezkin. “Another friend?”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, Mage Threll stepped forward to confront Frisha. “Perhaps you should ask how many he saved this time.”
Moldovan glanced at Mage Threll. “You seem to have many female friends.” With a grin, he said, “My grandson does an Esyojo proud.”