“I’ll miss you terribly,” Kalea said, looking soulfully into her husband’s eyes. “Write to me daily, I beg of you.”
“I won’t make any promises I can’t keep, but I will write to you when I can.” Torvald kissed her. “Take care of the island while I’m gone.”
“I’ll try,” the queen tearfully vowed.
“Is there something you’d like to say to Lady Isa before we go?” the king asked.
Kalea took in a quivering breath before turning to face me. She had been much more emotional since her father’s passing—not that anyone could blame her. Her face, which had once been so quick to smile, was older somehow. Her eyes had lost their sparkle. She had also started wearing dresses of darker shades and opted for wearing her hair down. As if she couldn’t be bothered with fancy up-dos anymore. She left her husband and timidly approached me.
I stiffened and held my breath, almost afraid any sudden moves would make her retreat. I couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked at me, much less walked in my direction.
“I’m sorry,” Kalea whispered, wet lashes fluttering in the breeze. “I’m sorry I blamed you for Father’s death. I know it wasn’t your fault. I suppose I just needed someone to be angry with.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
The queen bit her lip before throwing her arms around me. I gave her a gentle squeeze, heart full.
“You’ll always be my dearest friend,” she said. “Please, keep him safe and write often.”
“I will,” I said, and then she released me.
We shared a smile before she turned to Viggo. “You take care of her.”
Viggo bowed. “Of course, my lady. Until we meet again.”
Kalea gave her husband one last kiss before she hurried down the gangplank and to the pier. The king watched her go with a nostalgic smile. Then he found my eyes. “Could you help Bryn along? The captain wanted to cast off an hour ago.”
Viggo and I both hurried to do as the king said. That was another thing that had changed over the past few weeks. Torvald had become more… authoritative. He was far more serious and thoughtful, hardly ever requesting anything so much as commanding it. It made him seem older and more kingly. I knew Tatsuo’s crude execution was affecting him, even if he refused to admit it. He said it had been for the greater good, which was true, but Tatsuo had still been his father. He had to feel something.
Once the rest of Bryn’s things had been loaded onto the ship, the captain and his crew prepared to cast off. Viggo, Bryn, and I tried to stay out of everyone’s way by leaning against the wooden paling along the poop deck.
“Are you ready to go back?” Bryn asked while we watched the crew work. “Kenshore is on the way to the capitol city of Ubar, a city we’ll definitely have to visit to make peace with that country.”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I suppose I’ll have to be ready. I won’t slow the king down by asking him to travel around what remains of my hometown.” I smiled to ease his mind. “How did your farewell with Raziya go?”
Bryn sighed mournfully. “Not well, I’m afraid. She claims she’ll never love another and will wait for me for as long as it takes.”
“Why did you have to be so nice?” Viggo said, impatiently brushing the hair out of his eyes.
I elbowed him in the ribs. “Because that’s the only way to treat a lady, annoying or otherwise. Behnam did right by her.”
“Thank you, Asta,” Bryn said, offering a little smile. “I wish that made me feel better.”
“Don’t worry. She’s young and dramatic. She’ll find someone else on the island to fancy and forget all about you while you’re apart.”
Bryn perked up. “You think so?”
“I know so. I was eighteen once.” I snapped my fingers. “That reminds me. I wanted to talk to the king about Kenshore.” I pushed off the paling and approached Torvald, who stood beside the captain at the helm. “Sire?” I said, tapping him on the shoulder. “A quick word?”
He excused himself and led the way down the steps to the main deck. Once there, he clasped his hands behind his back and faced the sea, as if pondering a great mystery. “What’s on your mind, Asta?”
“If the leaders of our sister nations refuse to let us keep some of the conquered land for our immigrants, I would like to offer Kenshore.”
The king blinked at me. “How is it in your power to offer me this land?”
It was my turn to face the waters, although the sun’s reflection made my eyes hurt. I addressed the wood beneath my feet instead. “My father was the mayor of Kenshore. As his only living relative, doesn’t that make me heiress?”
“I suppose,” Torvald said carefully. “Unless a distant male relative would like to fight you for the land.”
I smirked. “I doubt they’ll put up much of a fight, my lord.”
The king chuckled. “True… As I understand it, Kenshore was built by the sea.”
“There’s good soil for crops farther inland, and the closest city to the north is a mining colony. Perhaps as Holgarians move in, they can expand and eventually own that city as well. That gives you crops, lumber, coal, and plenty of iron to bring back to the island.”
Torvald considered this before nodding. “It sounds like the perfect location. Are you sure you don’t want to do anything else with the land? For yourself, I mean.”
“I’m sure, sire. The land is Holger’s.”
The king smiled. “Thank you, Asta. It’s an incredible gift.”
“I’m glad to give it to those who truly need it.” I made to leave but paused when he said my name.
“Asta?” Torvald glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, suddenly apprehensive. “Do you think it can be done? Do you think I can redeem Holger?”
It was the first glimpse of uncertainty I’d seen since Tatsuo died. I quickly brushed away my surprise. “If anyone can do it, you can.”
He nodded in thanks. I left him with his thoughts and returned to the poop deck. Bryn was looked slightly greener than he did earlier. Viggo smirked as he supported his friend.
I gasped. “Are you seasick?”
“Of course not!” Bryn said with an indignant frown. “I’m just… unaccustomed to the motion of the sea.”
Viggo laughed. “So am I, but you don’t see me swooning.”
Bryn groaned and wiped the sweat from his clammy forehead. “I think I’d better lie down.”
“Yes, I think that would be wise,” Viggo said before ushering him away.
I watched their progress for a moment before leaning against the paling. From this vantage point, I could see all of Holger. I remembered when I first laid eyes on it. I remembered thinking it was so foreboding. I laughed softly to myself. It’s just a piece of land floating in the sea.
Leaning my chin on my fist, I watched the island grow ever smaller and reminisced on all that had happened to me there. I wondered if I would miss it. Behind me came the unmistakable sound of vomit hitting the wooden floor, a chorus of groans followed by Viggo’s vehement apology, and then a grunt from Bryn. I did my best to smother my laughter. Yes, perhaps I would miss it, but not very much. Home was wherever those two men were, wherever my king went.
Still, I knew it would be some time before I saw the island again so I kept watching it until I could no longer make out its form. Then I took a deep breath and turned to face what lay ahead.
List of Characters in Alphabetical Order
Alun: The Heavenly Master (or god) of Food. Butchers, bakers, fishermen, and farmers worship him mostly.
Asger: He was chosen by Dotharr to become a warrior. He is one of the young men who befriends Asta in Dotharr’s Academy.