The morning after the previous day’s rain was fresh, yet slightly chilly. The sun had just begun to rise, and when it started to evaporate the remaining water on the roads of Volkar, the air would soon become stifling. Borin could already sense it. Despite the pending heat, work continued unabated throughout the kingdom. Everyone was busy. The villagers were either at their shops or out in the fields surrounding the kingdom. The merchants had opened their stalls. For now, only the locals were present, but soon it would be the time when traders from other kingdoms arrived. His father had set aside special days for these occasions. The locals looked forward to them, but Borin doubted he would be here to witness it. Perhaps when he returned next, he would bring back items that these lands had never seen before.

  He longed to be the first to discover the western lands. No one had done it yet. Or if anyone had, they certainly hadn’t returned. He would either find his death there, or it would be so beautiful that he would stay. Still, he secretly hoped to return one day. Maybe for the next great battle. He wanted to see Tristan triumph and his father ascend to the highest throne in the kingdom. And with the throne of Shilan, his father would command even better ships, superior weapons, more wine, and perhaps Borin could assemble a better crew through him. Shilan opened many possibilities.

  He didn’t trust Cassius the Blue or his men, especially after what had happened last time. The very thought of spending days in the same cabin where Cassius had been with those two women made him sick. Yet, his love for his ship fueled him onward. It was what kept him moving forward. He wanted to see it again. He didn’t want to see Cassius, but it was too late to seek another captain. Besides, he knew no one else.

  He walked slowly along the narrow garden paths, his thoughts consumed by his ship, Volkar, and his father. Sometimes, his thoughts strayed to Iris—not the ship, but the real Iris. He recalled her eyes, wide and brown, the last time she closed them. One of the healers had shut them for her. She had died so quickly that she had forgotten to do it herself.

  “Well, brother, I hear you’re leaving today. I don’t know what one says to someone like you. Fair winds, or maybe a safe journey?”

  It was Sophia. She was nearly as tall as he was, with short black hair and eyes so dark they seemed to come from a different mother, as if some wild woman had birthed her. She didn’t dress like the other girls in their court. While they wore fine dresses, mostly in light colors with flowers embroidered on them, she was clad in pants and a shirt. With such attire and her appearance, she was often mistaken for a boy or one of Tiberius’s soldiers. And Sophia seemed to enjoy it when people didn’t recognize her as a girl. She had mentioned it many times, and it was clear that she bore the heart of a man, but some god above had mocked her by sending her into the world as a woman.

  “Sophia?” Borin was genuinely glad to see her. “Our mother has let you out of her sight again, hasn’t she?”

  Sophia looked around.

  “Relax, no one’s here.”

  “I’m tired of our mother and her...girlish things.”

  “Girlish? Lilith doesn’t mind them.”

  “She’s a girl, and she likes Mother’s silly things more.”

  “You’re a girl too.”

  Sophia pulled out a knife, stepped back, and pointed it at him.

  “I could beat you at anything, brother. You know that.” She then sheathed the knife. “But I don’t want to.” Sophia approached him and hugged him. It was unexpected. “I’ll miss you a lot. Honestly, if I could, I’d go with you.”

  “I don’t think our father, and even less our mother, would allow that.”

  “I know. But they wouldn’t find out until it’s too late. Who could stop me?”

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  Sophia waved her hand dismissively and looked around again.

  “When do you leave?”

  “If I’m lucky, today.”

  “Today? So soon? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

  “Everyone’s busy with the wedding preparations. And I hear the wildlings have come up from the south again, and Father’s preparing to head there. They’ve completely forgotten I’m leaving.”

  “Even our mother? That’s strange. I’ll tell her. Every son deserves a hug from his mother.”

  “No. I can’t handle her tears. And I’d look ridiculous in front of the other captains.”

  “You’ll have captains too? That’s serious business. Well, alright. You and I share the same fate. We’re always forgotten. You get used to it.”

  “They don’t forget you. You just rarely show up and always avoid them.”

  Sophia laughed, pleased.

  “Bromir’s been acting strange lately, Borin. He behaves as if he’s already king of this place. He often ignores me or insults me in his own ways. And that Garvin with him... I think he’s a bad influence.”

  “You’re imagining things, Sophia. Bromir’s just preparing for the wedding. It must be tough.”

  “If you stayed, you could find out for yourself.”

  “Why don’t we find you a husband?”

  She pushed him with both hands. He had hit a sore spot. Sophia was older than Lilith, and as their father put it, “ready for marriage.” He loved to tease her about it, and she would get back at him whenever she could.

  “Get married? And what next? Learn to sew or gossip about knights, weddings, lords, and flowers?” She made a face as if the thought made her sick. “Come on, brother. Is that how you see me?”

  It was true—she looked ridiculous even in his imagination.

  “Then I’ll be glad to find you still here when I return. And I promise, on my next voyage, I’ll take you with me.”

  “Don’t you dare break that promise,” she raised a finger, “And you’re already talking like an experienced sailor. Aren’t you afraid of the sea?”

  “I am,” he admitted honestly, “But my desire to be on a ship is greater. And I have a good crew.”

  “A good crew? With Cassius the Blue? I’m sorry, brother, but Cassius... And from what I’ve heard about him... I don’t want to disappoint you, but...”

  “No need to continue. There’s nothing about him I haven’t heard, but I don’t care what he’s like here. I care only about the ship and whether he can help me. And everyone tells me he’s a good captain. I hope he’s calmer on the ship. At least his whores won’t be there.”

  “But there will be drinking.”

  “We’ll manage the drinking somehow.”

  “You know best,” Sophia turned towards the dock and shielded her eyes. “I’d come to see you off, but if our mother sees me in a place full of sunburned men, she’ll faint for sure and forbid me from going out entirely.”

  “It’s not like you haven’t been there before. I’ve seen you a few times drinking with the local sailors. Don’t think our mother doesn’t know everything that happens here.”

  Sophia blushed.

  “Does she?”

  “Trust me, she does.”

  “Then I’ll be more careful. Or maybe I should do something drastic? How about I shave my head completely?”

  “You’re insane.”

  “I’ll wear a hood or a hat in the kingdom, and outside, I’ll go as a man. No one will recognize me.”

  “Better keep quiet.”

  Sophia laughed heartily.

  “Promise me you’ll take care of them while I’m gone.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Take care of our mother? You make it sound like you’ve been doing that while you’re here. Come on, Borin. We all know that the strong people of the kingdom are our father and Bromir. How am I supposed to take care of them? They don’t even trust me, even though I could beat both you and Bromir. You’re both weaker.”

  “But we’ll be kings, and you won’t.”

  “Strange world, don’t you think? But I promise, and I will do it.” The knife was back in her hand, and this time she twirled it.

  “If Father finds out you’re carrying a knife...”

  “Honestly, I’m more afraid of our mother,” Sophia laughed, “You know a secret?” She leaned in closer. “I saw Lilith alone in the city the other day.”

  “Lilith? Alone? That can’t be true. Who would let her out by herself?”

  Sophia blushed slightly.

  “What was she doing there?”

  “I wondered the same. I love going out, but I always dress to avoid trouble. And she’s more innocent than me. I don’t know what she was thinking.”

  “I could scold you, but it wouldn’t stop you. And it doesn’t matter now. Once I leave, you’ll go out again.”

  “You know me so well,” she smiled. If she didn’t have such a masculine temperament, she could have been a very beautiful woman and a good wife for some lord. Borin was glad it wasn’t his problem.

  “And what was Lilith doing there?”

  “I followed her but didn’t find out. She entered one of the houses. I waited outside and looked around, but she stayed for a while. And I had to get back.”

  “That’s odd. Lilith never leaves Mother’s side. Maybe she was looking for books or something like that. She often does.”

  “I don’t know. Those books of hers... They’re a good cover.”

  “Enough, Sophia. Lilith isn’t like that. And she knows that if Father finds out she’s meeting someone, especially from those neighborhoods, he’ll go mad.”

  “Then be glad you won’t be here. And my little sister is going crazy. She’s constantly buried in her books. I saw one of them. She’s reading about some moons, creatures, and rains. She’s reading nonsense written by fools. And our father has no idea what’s going on around him.”

  “He’s busy with Bromir’s wedding.”

  “Nonsense. His head is full of those wildlings and the throne of Shilan. Weddings are easy. Two lovers and a lot of money.”

  “Do you think there will be two lovers at this one?”

  “I think you’re exaggerating about Bromir, Borin,” she laughed, “But isn’t it all so amusing? One daughter acts like a man, and the other secretly meets with such people.”

  “You’re going too far,” Borin stopped her.

  “Well, brother. At least while you’re out on the waves, know that between the two brothers, you’re my favorite. And bring me something from wherever you’re going.”

  Sophia patted him on the shoulder and left him alone. In everything she had said, there was truth, and just because he couldn’t see it didn’t mean it wasn’t so. But none of that was his problem now. He just wanted to leave before the kingdom’s problems overwhelmed him, which was ironic given that he was heading into the vast sea.

  He walked slowly through the narrow garden paths, trying to banish the thought that he was walking these paths for the last time. Yet every few steps, he turned back to look at the palace and the garden. He looked at Lilith’s window, then at the throne room. He also watched the ladies bustling around the palace, like ants doing all kinds of work. He had never noticed them before. The stable hands tended to the horses, and the soldiers lined up at the front. Some headed to the training grounds to hone new skills, while others armed themselves. Perhaps nostalgia was getting the better of him, but he knew something far more interesting awaited him.

  “Aye, aye,” he heard a loud voice and immediately felt a slap on his back. It was Cassius. The giant hand of his new captain was nearly the size of his shoulder blade, which burned after the blow.

  “At least you’re dressed this time, Cassius,” he couldn’t help but note. The laugh of his fat captain shook the pier. He was glad for Cassius’s good mood but didn’t appreciate the rough greeting. Although Borin would be in charge on the ship, here on land, he was still subordinate. He thought of telling him, but decided against it. There was no need for arguments before they set sail.

  “Prince, everything’s ready.”

  “The crew?”

  “My men haven’t boarded yet, but the others are up there.”

  “The others? What others?”

  “Who’s going to sail the ship, lordling? Surely you don’t think Jack, Jek, and Griff would agree to handle anything but a bottle of wine.”

  Another throaty laugh.

  “How many are the others?”

  “Not many. About seven or eight.”

  “Eight? Who’s paying them? I didn’t account for that.”

  Cassius’s face suddenly became serious. He stepped back and placed his hand on Borin’s shoulder. He bent one knee before the other.

  “Lord Borin, you’ve given your share. Leave the rest to me. I’ll take care of it.”

  Borin was surprised. He had expected many things but not that Cassius wouldn’t find a way to squeeze more money out of him. But the fact that there were eight more men on board made him slightly uneasy.

  “Who are these people?”

  “Just regular folks looking to earn a little money and maybe feed their families afterward. They’re ready to do whatever we tell them.”

  “Hey, wait for me,” Cassius saw him heading toward the ship and ran after him as best as a man as heavy as a boar could run. Borin felt his heavy footsteps.

  The Iris was loaded with several wooden crates of food and one filled to the brim with rum and wine. That was what Cassius had requested, and Borin had provided it. For the first time since that night, he saw both Jack and Jek, if he remembered their names correctly. The two stood leaning against one of the side rails, while Griff was alone at the captain’s spot, staring at the sea as if searching for something. Down by the four oars, there were indeed eight men. Calling them men was a stretch. All were dark-skinned and thin, their bodies skeletal as if they hadn’t eaten in a year. Most were bald, and the dirt on their skin was visible even in the dim light. They looked around in different directions and didn’t speak to each other. Three of them were surely no more than sixteen years old. The other five were older but so gaunt that they looked like they might break at any moment.

  “Cassius?”

  “Prince?”

  “We have four oars and eight… men. Where did you find them? I’ve never seen them in the kingdom.”

  “Then you don’t know your kingdom well. Here, near the walls of your father’s palace, everything is pleasant, but the farther one goes, the hungrier the regions become. But it’s not your father’s fault. It’s the same in every kingdom I’ve been to.”

  “There are that many hungry people?”

  “Oh, my dear prince. Prepare yourself for even uglier sights on our journey. If we even make it anywhere. But if we run out of food, we can always eat one of them.” Cassius laughed, but Borin found no humor in it.

  “We’ll make it. I have a map...” He shouldn’t have said it and already regretted it.

  “A map? No one has a map of the western sea. Or if someone does, they haven’t come back to show it. There’s nothing out there. I’ve been there hundreds of times and returned a hundred times. I plan to do the same now.”

  “You’ve gone as far as you dared. Now you’ll have to overcome that.”

  “Should I be honest? I think you won’t last and will give up before I do.”

  “My map is of the western coasts and some of the islands.” Borin changed the subject, trying to dodge the issue. He didn’t want to show him the map.

  “Well, that’s something,” Cassius waved a hand. “We’ll look at it later. Though I doubt it’ll be of much use. My only map is the sky and my heart. I heard that in a song. Songs are great. Can you sing, my lord?”

  “Stop calling me ‘my lord,’ Cassius. Just call me Borin. And answer me about the men. They’re twice as many as the oars.”

  “Well, look at them... Borin. They’re starved and weak. I suppose they’ll eat more here than they did in their homeland. I’m even sure it’ll take at least three of them for one oar.”

  Borin looked at them again. Maybe Cassius was right. They were so frail and tormented that he wasn’t sure they’d survive even the departure.

  “And the payment?”

  “Don’t worry, boy. We’ve already settled that. In fact, let me put it briefly—if they make it alive, I’ll pay them from my share. But I doubt any of them will survive to our destination. If they don’t... well, it’s clear.”

  “Don’t they have families? Children?”

  “Who cares?” Cassius laughed and slapped Borin on the shoulder with the same force as earlier. Was he beginning to regret this? Was this departure a mistake? But whenever he thought of the ship and the sea, his desire to sail grew, and nothing could stop him. Yet when he saw Cassius, he just wanted to leave the ship and never see him again. Things had progressed so far that he couldn’t take a step back. Everything was ready.

  He listened to Cassius’s latest shouts on the ship’s deck and looked at Volkar’s palace, its towers seemingly touching the sky. Neither of his sisters nor his brother was there to see him off. Nor was his father. Not that he had expected anything different. He was glad at least to have seen Sophia. He hoped to see Lilith too, but he hadn’t.

  His thoughts of his family mixed with Cassius’s words. The fat captain didn’t expect these weak men to survive the journey. But would he, Cassius, and his three assistants make it? He didn’t even want to ask. He just wanted to sail, to ride the waves, and to feel the sea. He wasn’t thinking of the consequences and had no final goal.

  Cassius whistled, and everyone on the ship, even a few people on the pier, turned toward him. Jack, Jek, and Griff boarded. Four of the men took their places, each grabbing an oar. The other four sat beside each of them.

  “Lord Borin, I’m ready. My boys are too. We have food and wine. We don’t need anything else. If you have a loved one you want to see for the last time, now’s the moment. If you want to say goodbye to your mother, father, or brother, we’ll wait for you. Otherwise, we’ll cut the ropes. And I’ll call you ‘lord’ or ‘prince’ for the last time. Here you’re Borin, the ship’s owner, and my subordinate.”

  Cassius suddenly changed his tone and expression. For a moment, Borin saw him as a true captain. But when he whistled at one of the wretches who were going to row the ship, the old Cassius returned.

  Borin looked at the castle again. No one was coming. He secretly hoped at least to see his mother. He closed his eyes and opened them. He saw Iris, but not the ship—he saw the real Iris. He greeted her in his mind, knowing she wasn’t real. The real Iris had died ten years ago. She loved ships. They both loved ships. He closed his eyes again and opened them. The carpenter Elrik stood down on the pier, watching them. He placed his hand on his heart, tapped it twice, and raised it in a salute. Borin wasn’t ready to leave, not from fear of the sea, but because of the memories he was leaving behind. How ridiculous would he feel if, just a few days later, he had to return with his tail between his legs?

  Borin returned Elrik’s salute and, without turning back, said loudly:

  “Captain Cassius, the sea is your compass. Surprise me.”

  Almost instantly, the ropes holding the ship to the pier snapped and whipped him like a lash. The sea carried their wooden home away. A few people on the pier shouted. Jack and Jek opened a bottle of wine. Cassius took it from their hands and took the first drink. Then he poured some on the deck and said something.

  Borin turned toward the horizon and touched his pocket.

  His father’s map was there.

  He wasn’t afraid of anything.