“It’s hard to say… They’re both incredible. The castle in the South has more height.”
“More than this?” Vi said, shocked.
“Well, it’s built into a mountain... So it cheats. They’re both impressive in different ways.”
Vi gave a small nod.
“Were you planning on going to Norin’s castle?” Jayme asked, shifting to face her. “After you managed to run away?”
“What? Oh no.” Vi realized Jayme misunderstood her fascination. “I had thought it would be years until I laid eyes on it. But now… here I am.”
“So, whatisyour plan?”
She knew Jayme likely wasn’t intending to be accusatory, but her tone bordered on it. It’s not like Vi could blame her. She’d dragged her through the desert on a mission that appeared to be half-baked to begin with.
“Well…” Vi started slowly, allowing the plan to solidify in her mind as she spoke. “I planned on going down to the docks, asking around, seeing if I could find work on a ship or stow away that could get me to at least the barrier islands, then…”
“Then… what? You just hope a ferry stops by to take you the rest of the way to the Crescent Continent?” Jayme put her hand on her hip, shifting her weight, and giving a small, frustratingly satisfied grin. It was the kind of grin she reserved for when she knew she was already right.
“Okay, you have a better plan?”
“I think I do.” Jayme’s body language shifted. For a brief moment she looked conflicted. But before Vi could ask why, she continued. “Do you know where the Le’Dan manor is?”
“The Le’Dan Estate is just outside of the Crossroads.”
“Their main one is,” Jayme agreed. “But they have another out here.”
Vi was reminded of Andru’s words once more. “Why do you know so much about the Le’Dans?”
“You’ll find out.” Jayme sighed. “Just lead the way to the estate, my cartographically-inclined friend.”
Vi didn’t even have to reach for the journal in her pack; the maps of Norin, with its off-center crescent shape wrapped around the greatest port in the world, filled her mind. There, diagonal from that point, was the castle. Making a triangle with the two was the main gate, where the East-West Way ended. Vertically toward the sea from the gate—though frustratingly without a direct access route—was the northwest ridge. It was the wealthy area of town with homes that dominated the same space as three or more smaller ones in the city on Vi’s to-scale maps.
“It’ll be this way.” Vi opened her eyes and pointed. “But I really don’t want to go to Lord Le’Dan.”
“Why?” Jayme adjusted her pack and began walking, despite Vi’s uncertainty. “He has ships, and he’s an old friend of your family.”
“He’s a Le’Dan. He only does what benefits him.”
“And you don’t think helping the crown—helping you,” Jayme hastily corrected before any passerby could hear. “Would be of benefit to him?”
“I don’t want to reveal who I am.” The road began to incline as they wove through the buildings of a city waking. “What if I do and he refuses to help? What if he keeps me under lock and key until Elecia returns, then hands me back over?” Vi’s voice had dropped to a worried whisper.
“So don’t tell him who you are until he agrees to help you.”
“And we’re back to why would he agree to help a no one? He’s aLe’Dan.”
The Le’Dans were splashed throughout history, thriving at every turn, even when they lost by traditional measures. The family had once vied against Vi’s own lineage—the Ci’Dans—for control of the West. In the end, the Ci’Dans claimed the crown and the military, and the Le’Dans claimed the purse strings. Rivals became begrudging partners, then willing allies, and finally friends as the years progressed.
“Vi… trust me, just this once.” Jayme sighed heavily.
“I always trust you.” Vi glanced at her from the corners of her eyes. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine. I’m not looking forward to this either, honestly. And I don’t want to argue about it any more.”
With that, the conversation died.
They turned and began walking along a street aptly named “Golden Row.” Every building was more ornate than the last. They had intricately carved doors and windows of delicate iron scrollwork and colored glass that undoubtedly cost more than some families made in a year. Most seemed to cater to fashion-based industries. There were cobblers, milliners, jewelers, and more tailors than she could count.
