"Should we send men to Gokan?"
Emir Volkan was pensive for a moment, before speaking decisively. "For now, let us send as many men as we can to our border with Gokan. They can easily advance north if need be. Send out messages to the levies and call up the reserves. Recall our ships, and send some warships north to deal with any naval encroachment."
"Emir?" Miro said.
"What?" Volkan said with irritation.
"There may be more going on here than you realise."
Miro saw the thoughts cross the Emir's face. Miro knew he didn't want the lands to the east discussed in front of his men.
"You have your orders, see to it," Volkan dismissed his men.
The guards remained, keeping a discreet distance, and Miro reminded himself that his and Amber's fates hung on his next words.
"If you're wasting my time…" the Emir said.
"Emir, there is an ancient enemy we believe may be behind the attacks on my nation. I came here because the signs pointed to these lands, and now a mysterious new leader has risen in your north. Do you really think it is coincidence?"
"What are you suggesting?"
"Let my wife and I go north, to this land Gokan and its city Wengwai, and further north if need be. I will learn whether my fears are warranted, and I'll find the truth behind this leader. I give you my word that I will bring this truth back to you, or die trying."
Miro meant every word. He only hoped the Emir would believe his sincerity.
"You would give me your word? And what do you want in return?"
"You know what I want. A ship and a crew to take my wife and I back home."
Miro held his breath. The Emir took a long time replying.
Volkan eventually spoke. "Granted." He called one of the guards forward. "Give him what he needs for his journey. Escort them both out of Emirald."
"At once, Emir."
~
AS HE returned the book Miro had been leafing through to the shelf, Emir Volkan was lost in thought.
How could Narea have fallen so quickly? Surely there wasn't any truth to this story of an ancient enemy?
The Emir knew how to read men, and he knew Miro truly believed he could find answers in the north. He could also see that the man from across the sea would return to Emirald. Not only had Miro given his word, he needed a ship, something only Volkan could provide.
Yet Emir Volkan never planned to give Miro the ship he wanted.
Miro Torresante of Altura had foolishly given his word.
But he had never asked Volkan for his.
25
"SO KILLIAN is Xenovere's heir," Rogan said, shaking his head. "I can hardly believe it."
"You've seen the proof," Ella said. "There's no doubt."
"How will the people react, I wonder?" There had been another riot, once again incited by Bastian.
"There's something I need you to do," Ella said.
"Another thing, you mean," Rogan said wryly.
Ella looked at Rogan intently. "I need you to send someone to the Isle of Ana. We need to find out what happened to Lady Alise. She may be dead, but Killian's mother could also be alive, perhaps knowing nothing about the changes in the Empire."
"I'll see to it," Rogan said. He looked out his window at Seranthia. "I think this news lends further urgency to what you're doing. It's even more imperative that we bring him back. Ella, you now have my full support. Do you still think you can get Killian back?"
"I can try."
Even if she could enter the portal and cross through to the other side, Ella wondered how Killian would take the news. He was the nephew of a man he despised. He was the heir to a broken empire.
"Rogan…"
"I recognise that tone," Rogan said. "What is it?"
"There is one last thing I need your help with…"
"Come on," Rogan growled, "out with it."
"You won't like it."
Ella told him.
~
ELLA entered the deserted Westcliff cemetery with two of Rogan's men. This late at night there would be no one present to watch a corpse be exhumed — a corpse that had been in the ground for over two decades.
She wore her green enchantress's dress, the hood pulled over her head, and over her shoulder she carried her satchel, the tools of her trade within. Rogan's two men were strong soldiers, and each carried a spade leaning against his shoulder in addition to the short swords at their waists. Yet as they approached the cemetery Ella could almost feel the fear washing from them as they gave her sidelong looks.
"What exactly are we looking for, Enchantress?" one of Rogan's men asked Ella.
"We're looking for the grave of Lord Aidan Alderon."
"How will we read the markers?" the other man whispered.
"Here," Ella said, reaching into her satchel and handing two items to the men. "They're pathfinders." She took a third pathfinder out for herself.
"Tish-shasah," Ella said, activating her pathfinder. A beam of light shone from the runes, and instantly the grave markers at Ella's feet were revealed in the glow. Soon all three of them searched the graveyard.