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Gustav strode to the bar. “Afternoon.”

“Hello, sir. How can I help you?”

“Looking for some rooms for me and my daughters as well as stalls for the horses. Also, a meal and ale. A great big tankard of it.”

“Of course,” blustered the man. “If you don’t mind me asking, though, what brings you here?”

“We’re looking for a ship.” Avera joined Gustav. “One that can preferably take horses.”

“Ain’t many of those anymore,” replied the man behind the counter as he placed a large mug under a tap. “Where you looking to go?”

“Verlora.” Avera stated it quietly and yet the word rang out.

A dead silence filled the room.

The man stared at her before blurting, “Are ye mad?”

“I have business there,” Avera muttered.

“You do know the continent went dark a few decades ago? No one goes there because no one returns.”

“Or no one is admitting it,” Gustav drawled. “Treasure seekers don’t like others horning in.”

“Could be. But that said, you won’t find anyone willing to take you.” The barkeep sounded sure.

“They’ll be soundly rewarded,” Gustav stated, making Avera wonder with what. They had barely any coin on them, their sudden departure from the capital not giving them time to prepare.

“Can’t spend it if you’re dead,” the barkeep flatly replied.

“Guess that decision will be up to the captain. Now about those rooms…”

No surprise, they had their pick. The inn had no one staying at it and, according to Korr—the owner and barkeep—it only remained open because they offered spirits and meals. Tastier food than expected. Avera devoured the spicy fish stew which she sopped up with fresh, crusty bread.

A full belly did much to improve her mood as did the thick straw mattress on the bed. Avera quickly fell asleep, deeply and soundly. With nothing to do, she made up for her lack of rest over the next week. The town didn’t take long to explore, the mostly empty buildings not yielding any treasures to keep her occupied. The few books left behind by those who vacated dull tomes about fishing and sailing. Everything of value, including Verlorian artifacts, had been sold or taken by those who relocated.

The lack of anything to keep Avera’s mind occupied meant she dwelled too much on her hopeless situation. It appeared as if her quest would end in Seaserpent’s Bay without ever having a chance to even begin. The barkeep hadn’t lied when he said the port didn’t see much traffic.

Every day Avera, who went by the name of Olive if anyone asked, walked to the docks to see if any ships had arrived. Nothing but fishing vessels. Speaking to some of the locals, she found out that Korr hadn’t exaggerated. Only rarely did seafaring ships visit. Losing Verlora as a trading partner on this side of the continent had been devastating as the smaller isles didn’t do much outside commerce. But the pirates on Saarpira did. According to the folks she conversed with, they visited sporadically with their stolen goods, preferring the laxness of Seaserpent Bay to the busier port at Horizon’s End.

In their effort to avoid being arrested for their lawless nature, the pirates didn’t give advance notice as to when they’d visit, however, Korr seemed to think it would be soon since it had been a while since they’d last traded. Much as she’d hate to encourage their lawlessness, Avera might not have a choice but to barter with the pirates for passage.

If one of their ships ever arrived.

It wasn’t until their eighth day that a sizeable vessel sailed into the port. Her elation lasted only a moment though as at the very same moment, some knights trotted into the city too.

Chapter 21

The ship coastedinto a berth in the bay, a massive wooden-hulled vessel with its sails furled tight. Scurrying around on the deck was a mixed crew of men and, to her surprise, a few women—dressed in trousers! Some tossed out lines ready for mooring while others clambered nimbly down a rope ladder, leaping to the dock to grab the ropes, tying them to the cleats that jutted from the dock.

The vessel bore no identifying markings that Avera could see, nor did it fly a flag making it most likely pirates, but she didn’t care who owned it. Its arrival gave her hope that they finally might be able to leave Seaserpent Bay and continue on their quest, assuming they could convince the captain.

Excited to tell her companions, Avera whirled from her spot on the pier and took a step in the direction of the inn when she spotted horses coming around the far bend in the road. Her stomach tightened at the sight. These weren’t happenstance travelers. The royal-colored blue and gold tunics layered over armor were unmistakable even from this distance.

Had they come seeking her?

Even if they hadn’t, and this was simply a routine visit, any soldier from the capital would recognize Gustav, leading her tobolt for the inn. She already knew Gustav wouldn’t be in his bedchamber. He liked to stay busy. Given she didn’t spot him outside sharpening his blade or exercising with it, she entered the barn to find him caring for his stallion.

“Larry!” she huffed as she entered, using his new name. “There’s soldiers coming.”