Thomas raises his voice, arguing with my squire, Christopher, over the merits of Voyager fishing nets and how they differ from those in the south.
But I care not about fishing nets. Or anything, really, save Master Aldwine’s return.
And, of course, Aedre.
“You’ve not eaten yet,” Thomas says to me, apparently finished with the good-natured disagreement.
In answer, I take a piece of fish and stuff it into my mouth.
“I spent the afternoon at the docks.” Thomas smiles at the serving maid passing by. “And heard a rumor about the Queen of Edingham.”
I eat, suddenly hungry after that one bite, as the innkeeper’s daughter, a now-familiar serving maid, moves past us again. On many of our journeys we are hosted by noblemen. At other times, we stay in abbeys. But Sailor’s Inn has fast become a favorite, despite my typical distaste for inns. With the exception of that first day, none have challenged us, and some appear to have forgotten there are strangers among them. Every day fewer and fewer patrons look our way.
“Celebrating the demise of Meria’s lost heir already?” I ask.
Though the news must have traveled to Edingham by now, it’s premature for it to have reached Murwood.
“Nay, though no doubt they’ll do so soon enough. Some say Queen Cettina’s sister has returned to court.”
Salvi and I look at Thomas, both of us surprised.
“So Lord Whitley has finally found a home for his ambition?” Salvi asks.
The knight has served me well these past years, and there are none I rather wish to have by my side than he. Unlike Thomas, he is more reticent with his words.
“More like the queen’s sister has found a way to get into her good graces.”
An interesting development, if it is, indeed, true.
Though second-born, Cettina inherited her father’s crown when he died the year after her older sister, Lady Hilla, was disinherited and banished. Rumor has it Lady Hilla had an affair with an especially unsuitable man, although none know the truth of it. Some say aye, and others nay. But all agree that when her father, the king, learned of the accusations, the man in question was swiftly beheaded, Lady Hilla and her husband exiled. Said husband, Lord Whitley, still rages over the incident.
“Either way, she and Whitley are back at Breywood Castle, if the stories are true.”
I consider how this may affect our current state of affairs.
“If stories of Whitley’s ambition and greed are true, he will undoubtedly make a play for his wife to reclaim the crown.” I take a swig of ale.
“Perhaps Meria won’t be alone in her misery?” Thomas speculates.
I’ve come to the same conclusion.
“This is good news for us,” I agree. “But Edingham’s instability does little to solve our own problems.”
The group falls silent until my squire speaks up.
“What will we do if he doesn’t come with us?”
The others look at Christopher and then back at me.
“The king refused to name another heir, but if Aldwine refuses us—” my teeth grind at the possibility, “—the king will have to name another.”
“Who?” Thomas asks.
I have my suspicions, but none are fact, so I will keep such thoughts to myself.
“It matters not. If the church backs Hinton, along with those who support him already, ’twill ensure a long and bloody path forward for Meria.”
Our uneasy silence is broken by the sound of the inn door swinging open.
“The Artemis has returned,” someone calls excitedly.
My hand drops back to the table, my mug hitting it with a thud.
Thomas and I exchange a glance before we both shift our attention back to the door. More watching and waiting. After more than one of the Sailor’s Inn patrons leaves, we have our answer.
Voyagers are known to put into port, even at night, rather than anchoring.
Without saying a word, I nod, and the four of us stand at once. Because of Aedre, I am not worried about gaining an audience with him immediately. Even so, I would glimpse the man that may yet be king of Meria.
A crowd has already gathered along the wharf.
“There’s hardly any moonlight,” Salvi says, lifting the lantern he’d taken with him. “Do you know any ship captains who would put in on a night such as this?”
“Madness,” Thomas mutters.
I tend to agree. But Voyagers are also known for their skill in the water. The tragedy that cost Meria so dearly would likely not have happened in Murwood End.
“Can you see the ship?” Christopher asks as we approach.
“Nay.” The crowd has grown, presumably for first pick of the furs Aldwine’s men have traded for oil. A curious custom, the makeshift port-side fair, but one that has become familiar. Despite the dark, townsfolk have descended on the Artemis, and we can see nothing of note for some time.
Eventually establishing a position with a vantage point that allows us to see the Voyagers as they make their way ashore, we blend into the crowd. Nothing marks us as king’s men, for we’ve learned dressing the part makes the townspeople hosts uneasy.
“Look there,” Thomas says, but I’ve already noticed him. Something about Master Aldwine draws the eye toward him, and it is not just his height. I step closer for a better look at the man.
Goods are tossed ashore, Aldwine pointing and shouting, though I can’t hear his words. It is just as well. I can see the men look to him for their orders. I can see that he holds his head high. Though I hear nothing, I see everything. The rumors are all true.
The king insists Kipp Aldwine has grown to be a man who can be trusted with his crown and the ruling of Meria. And though it is not for me to question Galfrid’s judgment, I am most curious about his bastard son.
“They say he can swing a sword while carrying ten men on his back, and now that I see him, I can understand how such a thing is possible,” Christopher says.
I shake my head. “If I told you he pushed
