Page 48 of The Crown’s Obsession

He couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she was not dead at all.

All the same, Junis was still getting used to the title of captain. It would take longer than that, he suspected, to stop expecting orders.

The ship held its course, the wind steady enough that the crew had stopped complaining about it, which was as close to happiness as sailors generally came. He stood at the helm, watching the afternoon sun sink lower over an uneventful horizon.

The Baron lingered near the stern.

Junis watched him only briefly. Originally he had been concerned about him, made sure the Baron had only the best rations. Admittedly he was perplexed as to what the Baron was doing in Gyarin, wearing commoner clothing nonetheless.

But then he noticed that the man's tongue had been removed.

Colsar.

Junis knew his cousin well enough to recognize his work. Colsar did not usually dismember people without reason.

If the Baron had earned that particular punishment, Junis had little interest in discovering why. Whatever grievance existed between them, the man was unlikely to prove a friend of his.

A horn sounded across the water.

Junis turned.

Another vessel approached from the south, smaller and built for speed. One of his sailors leaned over the rail and answered with their own horn, signaling for permission to come alongside.

"They're requesting to board, Captain."

"Bring them in."

The ships drifted together.

A courier crossed first. He bowed, holding out a sealed letter.

"For Captain Junis Rathmor."

Junis accepted it.

The seal stopped him before the handwriting did.

Nyara.