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“James is in trouble!” she cries out as she and Jiron reach the gangplank and run up to the deck of the ship.

“What’s this?” he asks. He backs a little away from the gangplank as Illan and the others follow them on board.

Indicating Jiron, she says, “This is Jiron, James’ friend.”

“Nice to meet you young man,” he says as he extends his hand.

Jiron takes it as he glances to the departing ship carrying James. “Sir, we need your help,” he says.

“Help?” he asks.

“Father, James is in trouble,” his daughter exclaims. “He’s being taken back to the Empire. We have to help him.” She takes him by the arm and looks pleadingly in his eyes and says, “They’re going to kill him!”

“That’s right sir,” interjects Jiron. Pointing to the ship that’s now pulling away from the docks under sail, he adds, “He’s aboard that ship.”

He glances to the departing ship and recognizes it as the Ambassador’s. Looking into the pleading eyes of his only offspring, his will to resist melts away. “But what can I do?” he asks. “I’m not about to have my crew board the Ambassador’s ship. We’re not pirates.”

“But father!” exclaims her daughter.

“No,” he says, refusing though his heart would have him do otherwise. “I cannot bring our house to ruin over one man.” His voice softens as he adds, “No matter how much you care for him.”

Tears begin to well in her eyes as she sees her hopes being dashed upon the sound logic of her father.

“Could you at least follow him?” suggests Illan. “You wouldn’t have to do anything, just drop us off wherever they land?”

Meliana looks to her father, hope beginning to spring anew.

He stands there and thinks for a full minute before turning to the captain of the ship and says, “Prepare to get underway.”

Having heard the entire conversation, the captain knows just what is in store and begins shouting commands as the sailors bring in the last of the cargo.

“Thank you, father,” Meliana says as she gives him a hug and kiss.

Looking slightly embarrassed at this display of affection before everyone on board, he gives her a smile as he quickly disengages from her embrace.

“You should return to shore,” Miko says to Paul.

Shaking his head, Paul says, “I don’t plan to return to Cardri without Gwynne and Daria.” The determination in his eyes forestalls any objection Miko was about to make.

As the last sailor brings aboard the last of the cargo, the captain hollers, “Bring in the gangplank! Cast off the lines!”

One sailor pulls in the gangplank while dock workers untie the guy lines securing them to the docks.

The captain hollers to the men up in the rigging to drop sail. As the sail descends, the wind begins to fill them and they start moving away from the dock. As he gets the ship turned out to sea, Miko, Jiron and the others stand at the bow. The other ship is now far ahead of them and is almost lost upon the horizon.

Once the ship clears the harbor, the captain has the crew in the riggings to drop full sails and the ship begins racing through the water as they work to maintain visual contact with their prey.

When they come to take him from his pen, they remove everything from him but the clothes on his back. His slug belt, plus the entire contents of all his pockets were emptied into a sack before the manacles were put on his feet and hands.

The effects of the drug they used on him have reduced to nothing, though he is still unable to concentrate adequately enough to summon the magic. Helpless to do otherwise, he remains still as they secure the metal around his feet and hands.

Only able to shuffle due to the chain connecting his feet together, he moves as best he can up the stairs and then out of the castle. A crowd has gathered in the castle’s courtyard to see the Ambassador off and maybe to take one last look at the mage.

He stands there amidst several guards while they wait for the appearance of the Ambassador and his retinue. When he at last makes his appearance, walking next to him is the man who paid him a visit earlier. That man comes to James and checks the integrity of his manacles before they start to