His uncle’s banner fluttered from the mast, mocking him. Erich reached for his missing dagger, then let his hand fall to his side as he walked up the gangplank onto the deck. The crew was lazing about—some playing cards, others had their feet kicked up. His uncle sat easily among them, looking more like a sea-salted sailor than a country lord. His iron-gray hair was tied in a low ponytail, and his white shirt was open at the throat, exposing the golden chain he wore around his neck. He turned as they approached, and a smile cracked his somber face. Erich nearly turned around, overcome by guilt.
But then he thought of Liane alone in the temple, her fate uncertain, and he took the step toward him. His uncle opened his arms to him as if to embrace him. But Erich wasn’t quite ready for a sentimental greeting.
“I’ve come to beg a favor, Uncle,” Erich said, and he bowed low onto the ground in front of him. His uncle looked stricken and grabbed him by the shoulders.
“Please, whatever it is, there’s no reason to beg. Stand up.”
“I know you want me to become the king. And I’m still not sure I’m worthy,” Erich continued, from his kneeling position. “But there’s something greater than me and greater than Sundland at stake here. And that’s why I’ve come to ask you for help.”
The sailors had given up on their card game and turned their entire attention to Erich and his uncle. Uncle Endland, always pragmatic, looked around and said, “Maybe we should talk in private first.”
There was some good-natured teasing from the sailors as Erich stood and followed his uncle into the captain’s quarters. It was a square room, with low, dark ceilings, a table big enough to seat six bolted to the floor, and a desk with a map and sextant laid out as if they merely awaited orders to sail onward to new adventures.
Ludwig guarded the door while Erich faced his uncle.
“Now tell me what is so important that you’d fall to your knees and beg me?” his uncle asked.
“It’s a long story.”
“Erich, when did I ever not love a good tale?” His uncle leaned back against the table, arms crossed.
Erich sighed and rubbed his stubbled chin. “Where do I start?” Erich wondered aloud.
“I’ve found the beginning is usually best.”
And so, he told his uncle everything, from his and Liane’s fake engagement, Fritz’s prophecy, Liane drawing the sword, and his near-death experience. Uncle Endland listened patiently, not interrupting once. The sun was setting outside the window when he finished, and his throat was sore by the end of the telling. Erich’s chest felt light, having unloaded the burdens he’d been carrying. Before Erich’s self-imposed exile, Uncle Endland had been the one he’d talked to about his problems, and he’d held all his secrets.
“Then we must rescue her.” His uncle clapped his hands together.
Erich blinked at him. Even though he knew his uncle was a generous man who’d do anything for family, he’d expected some resistance.
“Just like that?” Ludwig asked.
His uncle smiled. “Erich said the fate of the world is at stake. I know my nephew, and he wouldn’t exaggerate such a thing. But I fear it’s not my decision alone to make. My men on this ship have been traveling with me for a long time. They have a right to choose whether they’d be complicit in angering the Church of Sol along with us.”
“I understand,” Erich said. It was a reasonable request. Though the dragon was growing restless as night crept forward. He wouldn’t be calm again until he knew Liane was safe.
His uncle rested his hand on his shoulder. “You have my support no matter what. I’m sorry I put so much pressure on you to become king. But you must realize the safest place for her, and you, will be in Sundland.”
“I know.”
His uncle nodded. “Good, as long as we both understand that. Come, let’s talk to the crew.”
They went above deck, and Erich was introduced to the crew of his uncle’s ship. Though he’d be hard-pressed to recall their names if asked. His thoughts were consumed by Liane. Uncle Endland delivered an abbreviated version of events, and they were given a vote on whether to join or not.
When the vote was cast, the decision was unanimous. They wanted to help rescue Liane. A plan was made to ready the ship for a quick departure the moment they returned with her. Which left Erich with the task of figuring out how to extract Liane from the church a second time.
“There’s one chance, I’m afraid,” his uncle said. “The Church of Sol will present her on the outer temple balcony during the fall equinox ceremony. But the square and surrounding area will be swarming with Midnight Guards. We’ll really have to thread the needle of your dragon’s ability to pull it off.”
Erich clenched a hand into a fist. Last time, he’d lost control and many people had died, but he couldn’t worry about that. He’d slaughter every last Midnight Guard to get Liane back if he must. The dragon liked that idea, and he felt its bloodlust boil in his veins.
“Whatever it takes,” Erich said.
“I thought you’d say something like that,” Uncle Endland replied with a grim expression. “Well, if anyone can pull this off, it’s you.”
Erich just hoped he was right.
35
