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TIYUNG

THE COASTAL ROAD, YUSAN

T he novelty of riding in the rain has officially worn off. I’m developing sores from being constantly wet, and my cough is concerning. As we make our way south, it’s turning warmer, but the wind and rain make the change negligible.

We’ve only passed four other travelers this entire time. People try not to ride any distances during the monsoons, as the roads can get washed out and bridges are often impassable, but we don’t have a choice. Not after what we saw. A war of the realms is coming, and we are running out of time.

“Should we tell the king’s guard about the Weian fleet when we get to Trove?” I ask. It’s the next closest city that’s large enough to have a manned fortress.

Hana’s mouth falls open. “Have you lost your senses?”

Maybe. I mean, it’s possible, but why is she acting like this is the worst idea I’ve had?

“And if Sora and the others are aboard the Weian ships, do you really care enough to tell the throne of Yusan?” she adds.

The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.

We still don’t know what happened in Khitan.

Every time we stop in a messenger house, I hold my breath as Hana asks if there is anything for Nabhi of Kur.

She’s gotten two letters, and neither were from Mikail.

One was from Nayo—he is safe and no longer near Tamneki.

The other message, she didn’t show me. She just said it was from a “source.”

“You really think they could be aligned with Joon?” I ask.

It doesn’t seem likely when they just tried to kill him weeks ago. Then again, he worked with Bay Chin, so I suppose he can look past his own attempted murder.

Hana shrugs. “I think that anything can happen in a war. Euyn is his brother, and Aeri is his daughter. Stranger things have occurred than royal families forgiving blood betrayals. Maybe they were able to get the ring and give it to him. Maybe there was some other wrinkle. But we do nothing until we know for certain. Yusan doesn’t have the navy to match Wei’s, regardless of a few days’ head start.

So we’d risk dooming our friends and still not help Yusan either way. ”

“I see your point,” I say.

She raises an eyebrow. I’m sure it’s rare that men listen to and agree with her, especially the nobility. It must be hard to be a woman like Hana—so intelligent and yet constantly underestimated.

“What is your plan for when we get to Qali?” she asks.

I draw a breath and blow out a heavy sigh. I’ve put off any thoughts of dealing with my father. But now we are running out of time.

“You don’t have one, do you?” she asks. Something in her tone says that she hopes I prove her wrong.

“I…let him know I’m alive.” My voice rises at the end like it’s a question. My words hang in the air, and they don’t sound impressive.

She drops her reins and wipes her face with both hands for an extended amount of time. I think there’s a long-suffering sigh in there.

“Tiyung, Sora’s life depends on you. I’ve risked everything to help you. I don’t think it’s overselling it to say the fate of the realm depends on you. We should work on this plan of yours.”

“All right,” I say.

Talking to my father has never been easy. I can use all the help I can get.