During this time, Cole had rented a room at the Ivory Spit for his father. After a week of hot meals in his belly and sleep in a soft bed, Crispen West had recuperated, ceased stuttering, and began telling the most outlandish tales. And while he wasn’t exactly a helpful investigator, he was good company and, having a decent baritone singing voice, had joined in on some of the Wandering Songweavers’s performances.
While Crispen had never heard the term Mârad in conjunction with Cole, Kurtz, Mistel, and Zanna, Prince Oren had decided the man knew too much about their mission and had better stick with the group lest he stay behind to tell stories. Cole was grateful. He hadn’t been ready to say goodbye to the man just yet.
“I met Nonda Fawst on a ship out of Armonguard,” his father said, pulling Cole back to the present. “She was headed for Carmine on her way back to Mitspah. I was bound for Tsaftown.”
“Did you really?” Cole asked.
“Aye. She nearly knocked me overboard, arguing with the captain about the lack of deck space. Had a parrot on her shoulder and a jar of leeches under one arm that she claimed were ‘for emergencies.’ Made me promise to seek her out the next time I passed through Mitspah, which I did.”
Cole sifted the words for truth and decided he believed all but the parrot.
“I’m sorry Nonda sold you,” Father said, shaking his head.
“It was a blessing.” Cole glanced at the horizon, where endless blue stretched from east to west. “Drustan and Fen were horrible. Things would have gotten worse if I’d stayed. Maybe Nonda knew that. Maybe she was actually trying to help me.”
Crispen snorted. “I doubt that very much, but you’re a good sort to think the best of people.” He shot Cole a sidelong glance. “How long were you with Lord Yarden?”
“Just shy of ten years,” Cole said. “He gifted me to the then–Crown Prince as a cupbearer, but the prince wouldn’t hear of it. Made me a stable hand instead.”
Crispen arched a brow. “Sounds like a decent fellow, our new king.”
Cole turned and leaned back against the rail. The cold wind gusted into his face now, but that didn’t bother him like the wound in his side from the fight with Drustan. The small cut was taking forever to heal. “He’s a good man. I wish you could have heard him bloodvoice all of Er’Rets.”
“As do I,” Crispen said. “They say it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We heard about it the next day when the shift changed. Prison guards burst in like messengers fresh from a miracle. ‘Light has returned!’ and ‘The real prince pushed back Darkness!’ One of the guards said the shadows peeled right off the walls, like they wanted to go outside and see the sun for themselves. I’m not saying I believed him, but it’s not often the guards speak to prisoners, yet that day, they couldn’t keep their mouths shut. For once, hope was thicker than the jam between my toes.”
Cole chuckled at that last comment. “I take it you won’t miss the place.”
“Not for a moment. Didn’t think I’d ever get out of there. I wouldn’t have, if it weren’t for you. Thank you, son.” His brow sank, and his lips turned down at the corners. “I’m sorry I let you down when you were small. I hope we’ll be able to make up for lost time.”
Heat crept up the back of Cole’s neck. He scuffed his boot against the wooden deck. “I look forward to it. Father.”
Crispen pulled Cole into a firm embrace, squeezing tightly. Cole let himself sink into his father’s arms and the strange, unfamiliar warmth of family.
A pinch at his temples, and a voice entered his mind. Achan Cham.
Cole stepped back from his father. “Excuse me. The king is bloodvoicing.”
“By all means, speak with the king. I’ll see you later.” He clapped Cole’s shoulder and walked away.
Cole gazed out at the sea and thought an answer to the silent call. Hello, Your Highness.
How do you fare, Cole? Made it out of Tsaftown?
Yes, sir. We’re aboard the Zephyr, headed south toward our next destination.
Be careful there. Inko has gone missing, and that’s made us all nervous.
We’ll take care, sir. And we’ll find out what happened to him. Cole hoped the stalwart old knight was all right.
What about Mistel? Will she be coming back to Armonguard?
No, Cole thought, never more certain of anything. Mistel is staying with me.
You sure about that?
Absolutely. We’re a team, and I can’t do this without her. Nor would he want to.
A flash of orange caught Cole’s eye, bright and unmistakable. Mistel had just emerged onto the main deck, the wind tugging at her curls. She walked to the rail and grabbed hold of the worn wood with one hand. Her gaze panned the ship and found his.
