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“Alright,” he says. “Let’s get out of here.”

They move off the ship and cross through the docks. “Just where are we?” he asks.

“A port city called Westerlyn,” Illan explains. “It’s somewhere south of the city of Cardri, but still north of the Empire.”

As they make their way along the avenue through the warehouses bordering the docks, a shadow disengages itself from the darkness. James comes to a stop before he realizes it’s Mr. Bessin.

“Hope you didn’t kill the men standing guard,” he says.

Shaking his head, James replies, “Only roughed them up a little. Had to make it look convincing.”

“Indeed,” he says. He pulls a small sack out of his shirt and hands it to James.

“What’s this?” he asks as he takes the money.

“Something from a friend to help on your journey,” he explains. “Also, this friend said for you to find the horse trader, Ellias. That you should tell him ‘your ship left without you’.”

“Tell this friend we appreciate all he’s done for us,” says James.

Nodding, Mr. Bessin abruptly moves into the avenue and walks back to the ship.

James lightly shakes the sack and hears the coins within clinking together. “That was nice,” he says to Illan.

“Probably doesn’t want us captured anywhere near where he is,” Jiron says.

“Probably,” he agrees.

To Jiron, Illan says, “Go find Fifer and Dave and meet us at this horse trader Ellias’ place.”

“Will do,” he says. Moving away down the street, he is soon out of sight in the darkness.

They move further into town and after asking directions, find themselves at the eastern edge of town. Ellias’ place is one of the largest horse trading establishments James has yet encountered. Dozens of horses stand in the open corral outside the office building. A light shines from within and they enter through the front door.

A short man is there and looks up from where he’s jotting down notations on a piece of parchment. “Yes?” he asks.

James steps forward and says, “Our ship left without us.”

“Did it indeed?” he says. Resting his quill in the inkwell, he gets up and gestures for them to follow him through the back door.

Seven horses are saddled and ready for them. “Which one of you is James?” Ellias asks.

“I am,” James replies.

He pulls out a rolled letter and hands it to him.

Taking the letter, he says, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Ellias tells him. “These are yours and already paid for.” Turning around, he leaves them there and returns to within the office.

Having a wait before Jiron returns with the others, he unrolls the letter and moves over to take advantage of light coming through one of the office’s windows to read it.

James,

At first I was so mad at my father that he would hand you over. It wasn’t until we left the ship that he explained to me what was going to happen. I so much wanted to be with you, but understand why that cannot be right now.

I will return home with my father and hope one day to see you again. We will have other voyages to Cardri in the spring, this is to be the last one before the winter storms set in.

I wish you safe journeys and will always hold the memory of you precious. Thank you again for the figurine, it is special to me.

I love you,

Meliana

“I love you too,” he whispers to himself after reading the last word. He didn’t actually think he felt that way until he read this letter.

“Good news?” Miko asks him when he sees he’s finished.

Nodding, James rolls the letter back up and puts it inside his shirt for safe keeping.

Just then, they hear voices coming from the office and soon the back door opens as Jiron and the others join them.

“We got horses,” Miko tells Jiron.

“I see that,” he says.

Mounting, Illan says, “We better get out of here. When it’s discovered we’re gone, a search may develop.”

“I doubt it,” argues James as he gets in the saddle. “By the time the authorities here could be contacted and convinced a search should be implemented, we’ll be gone. They’ll know that. Plus I doubt if any of Kendrick’s crew is likely to go against him.