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Harristan glances across the table. “Quint,” he says. “Clear the room.”

All of the servants exit without any urging. Most of the guards leave, but four of Harristan’s personal guards remain. Rocco and Thorin stand along the wall behind the table, close to my brother and me, while Kilbourne and Grier stand closer to our guests.

Quint pulls the door closed behind him when he goes. He’lllearn everything from me within the hour, if he doesn’t hear it from Harristan himself. There’s nothing that goes on in the palace that Quint doesn’t hear about.

The room is very silent once the door clicks shut.

Rian doesn’t look away from Harristan. “Do you trust your guards, Your Majesty?”

“I do.”

“And do you trust your brother?”

“I do,” says Harristan—but the question pricks at my thoughts and lodges there. It takes me a moment to figure out why.

I’m remembering a moment in the Hold with Allisander, when I’d been locked in a cell after being caught as the outlaw Weston. Allisander was threatening me, saying anything to get under my skin, but he poked at my relationship with Harristan. I’d always thought my brother and I were close, but there was something Allisander said that has sat with me for weeks.

Look at the way he left you in prison for an entire day.

Harristan clears his throat, and I’ve heard him do it often enough that I know he’s covering a cough. I blink and focus on the matter at hand.

“Explain the purpose of the trade agreement,” I say.

“I need to explain the kingdom of Ostriary first,” Rian says. “Most Kandalan maps show the eastern side of Ostriary is over two hundred miles of marshland that leads into dense vegetation. And I’m sure the Flaming River is still considered a challenge to cross.” His eyebrows go up.

“Yes,” says Harristan. “But you didn’t cross it. Not if you docked in Artis.”

“No,” Rian agrees. “If you sail past the southern point, Ostriary can be approached from the western side.”

“The southern point is uninhabited,” says Harristan. “We have records of ships that have tried that route. From the south, the western coastline is a bare strip of sand that goes on for hundreds of miles. The northern point is comprised of cliffs. I have dozens of logs that speak of uncrossable current or dense fog that seems never-ending. Even for sailors who can get through the current, it would be impossible to dock.”

“I’ll challenge your definition of impossible, Your Majesty, because I’d wager that Kandalan sailors are mostly used to the open water in the stretch from Artis to your ports in Sunkeep and Trader’s Landing, and a child could navigate that.”

“Forgive our subpar sailors,” I say flatly. “So you sailed past the southern point to find … what? More sand?”

“No. A chain of six islands. Three are separated by less than a mile of water at certain points, and are connected by bridgework. One longer bridge reaches the mainland, but only one.”

Harristan sighs. “We have no record of islands, Captain Blakemore.”

“I’ve spent six years in Ostriary, Your Majesty. I’ve walked the bridges myself.” He reaches out and taps the log that belonged to his father. “You can read my father’s accounting of the territory.”

“The weather patterns that create the fog over the sea have kept the kingdom rather isolated,” says Lieutenant Tagas. “And protected.”

“Protected from whom?” I say.

“Anyone,” she says. “The islands bear a surprising amount of—”

Rian lifts his hand again, and she stops.

“This room is as empty as it’s going to get,” I say.

He smiles, but the look in his eyes is less jovial and more regarding. “When we left Ostriary, their rulers were unaware that Kandala had a new king in power.” He pauses. “Their government is abit shaky. There were many years of corruption. Political infighting. Squabbles over the throne that led to all-out civil war. It’s part of the reason it took me six years to return. There are many Ostrian citizens who did not want a trade agreement with Kandala.”

“Why?” says Harristan.

“Because your grandfather was seen as conniving and dishonest, a man who did not honor his agreements. Once your father took the throne, those views did not change.”

I go very still. “You are speaking of your former king.”