The fishing boat creaked beneath them as it cut through the dark waters, brine occasionally misting over the bow as it lurched. Lynara sat with her back against the small cabin, a borrowed cloak pulled tight around her shoulders. Dawn was approaching, the eastern horizon lightening to a pale gray, though the stars still glittered overhead.

  She watched as Caldus stood at the stern, conferring quietly with the boat's owner, a weathered man with skin like tanned leather who had asked no questions when presented with twice the usual fare. Money spoke a universal language throughout the Federation, it seemed. Some things never changed, regardless of century or circumstance.

  The knight commander's silhouette was rigid against the predawn sky, vigilant even after a sleepless night. His shoulders never slumped, his hand never strayed far from his sword hilt. A man perpetually prepared for battle.

  Fascinating, she thought. He operates as though surrounded by enemies even among his own people.

  Three of Caldus's knights had remained behind to manage the aftermath in Rothaven and inform the squires bringing the horses of their new destination, with instructions to rejoin them at the next port. The other 9 were distributed around the small vessel, two sleeping in shifts below deck, one watching the horizon from the bow, and Ser Tomas nearby, stealing occasional glances at her when he thought she wouldn't notice.

  She pretended not to see his scrutiny, instead maintaining the appearance of a noblewoman enduring discomfort with quiet dignity. The role was simple enough; she had played variations of it dozens of times over the centuries.

  -Conquer him, this band will make for powerful retainers.-

  The warrior-queen stirred, unusually silent in spite of her rowdy persona as she had been.

  The thread has loosened. She thought, as she left the queen's comment alone to bounce in her mind for a moment or two.

  "We'll reach Porto Agile by midday," Caldus said, approaching her. He settled onto a coiled rope nearby, close enough for conversation but maintaining a careful distance. "It's smaller than Rothaven, but my men should be well on their way with horses."

  Lynara nodded, a touch of weariness to show in her expression. "Will we face the same... hospitality there as well?"

  "Unlikely. Porto Agile trades regularly with the Eastern merchants. They're more accustomed to foreigners." He paused, studying her face. "Still, we'll maintain your cover as Lady Tanner. Rumors travel quickly along the coast."

  Wonder if he realizes the implication, he's driving us straight into a den of snakes playing at civility.

  "Of course." She hesitated, then added with a touch of honesty: "I truly am sorry about what happened. I never intended to cause such trouble."

  His expression remained neutral, but the aether thrummed with his armor, the enchantments processing her emotional state. She knew exactly what it would report: remorse, sincerity, a touch of fear. drawn forth like instruments from a musician's case.

  "You couldn't have known," he conceded after a moment. The admission seemed to cost him something. "The history between our peoples is... complicated."

  "Perhaps you could tell me more?" she suggested, her voice soft. "If I'm to avoid future mistakes, I should understand the wounds behind them."

  Caldus's jaw tightened, and for a moment she thought he would refuse. Then he sighed, the sound nearly lost beneath the lapping of waves against the hull.

  "The conflict goes back generations," he began, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "But the most recent flame of this hatred was ignited the Red Summer of 1628. Sverdish raiders struck six coastal villages simultaneously, during the midsummer festival when defenses were minimal, breaking a ceasefire."

  Lynara allowed her expression to grow bitter, she considered defending the event with the Sverdish interpretation on that bit of history, before discarding the idea.

  1628 was one hell of a year, I believe it marked the 90th since my disappearance from the mainland, only a generation or two odd ago.

  "The official death toll was six thousand," Caldus continued, "but those who study such things believe it was closer to ten thousand. What made it worse than a simple raid was their mantra 'Break the future, break the spirit' you can assume what that means."

  She lowered her gaze, letting him see genuine discomfort. Not at the brutality described, she had witnessed and sometimes orchestrated similar, the helots definitively remember, but at the tactical stupidity described. Short-term terror at the cost of eternal hatred. Shortsighted strategy, atypical for one wearing the flayed king's title, perhaps the federation missed his true goal?

  "That's... monstrous," she whispered. "I had no idea. The court histories mention border conflicts, but nothing so..." she trailed off, letting him fill in the blank.

  "Your brother doesn't strike me as the type to dwell on past atrocities," Caldus remarked, watching her carefully. "At least, not those committed by your own people."

  Brother. The word jarred her momentarily. So strange to think of Maraco that way, though she had cultivated the lie for decades. In truth, he was merely the latest in the line of a man she had once known intimately. The bloodline had thinned over generations, though the cruelty remained consistent.

  The only one to escape me, and now, he'll keep evading me for years more.

  "Maraco believes in looking forward," she said carefully. "The past is useful only for its lessons, not its grudges, or so he always taught me."

  "And yet he sent you here, to a land where your people are despised, where grudges are key to daily life."

  The observation was shrewd. She inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the point while considering her response.

  "Politics makes for strange journeys," she replied. "My brother's ambitions require Federation recognition. I am the price of that recognition."

  "A sacrifice, then?" Caldus asked, something unidentifiable flickering in his eyes.

  "A duty," she corrected, a hint of resignation to color her tone. "We all serve as we must."

  His armor hummed again, processing the emotions she projected: duty, resignation, a touch of resentment, carefully suppressed, flickering fear. A mirror.

  Caldus studied her for a long moment, then nodded once, as though confirming something to himself. "Get some rest, Lady Brahe. The waters grow choppy ahead, and Porto Agile, for all its tolerance, will require our full attention."

  He rose, returning to his position at the stern. Lynara watched him go, noting the slight change in his posture, a fractional lowering of his guard, perhaps. The knight was still suspicious, still vigilant, but something had shifted.

  Progress. Small but meaningful.

  She leaned back against the cabin wall, closing her eyes as if resting, though her mind continued to calculate, plan, and evaluate. The warrior-queen soul whispered strategies behind her eyes. This one's counsel was focused solely on conquest and subjugation. Useful, but limited.

  Patience, she reminded herself. The bond has its requirements, time lord of them.

  And time was the one resource she had cultivated more carefully than any other.

  Porto Agile appeared on the horizon just as the sun reached its zenith, a cluster of white buildings nestled between rolling hills and the azure sea, Kentralan influences clear in its design. Smaller than Rothaven, but bustling nonetheless, with fishing vessels and merchant ships crowding its harbor.

  I believe this was a monastery, though I don't see the building, I can see the theurgs had their hands in designing this.

  As they approached, Lynara observed subtle changes in Caldus and his knights. Their postures straightened, hands checking weapons with practiced nonchalance, eyes scanning the docks with professional vigilance. They were entering unknown territory, and their caution spoke volumes about their experience.

  "The plan?" she asked Caldus quietly as they prepared to disembark.

  "We dock, secure horses, and depart before sunset," he replied. "No unnecessary interactions. No extended stays."

  "And if someone recognizes me? Or questions our presence?"

  His expression hardened. "Let me handle any complications."

  The harbor master greeted them with brisk efficiency, barely glancing at the documents Ser Tomas presented. Porto Agile's reputation for discretion appeared well founded; coin exchanged hands, and they were directed to a stable at the town's edge with no further questions.

  As they made their way through narrow streets, Lynara cataloged everything: the layout of buildings, the faces of locals. Old habits, still useful after centuries.

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  The market square bustled with midday trading, merchants screeching in favour of their wares, fishermen displaying their morning catch, craftsmen demonstrating their skills. The air smelled of salt, spices, and the distinctive tang of live commerce. Lynara's senses, keened though a small burst of blood, picked out individual conversations from the general hum: haggling over fish prices, gossip about local scandals, discussions of weather patterns and sailing conditions.

  And then, something changed. A ripple of attention, subtle but unmistakable. A merchant at a spice stall paused mid-sentence, his eyes tracking their group with particular focus on Lynara. He leaned toward his neighbor, whispered something. The neighbor's gaze followed, narrowed with suspicion.

  Recognition. Caldus's knights aren't the only ones to have made the trek, but who could keep up and not be stopped?

  Caldus noticed it too, his hand subtly signaling his knights to tighten formation around her. "Keep moving," he murmured. "Don't engage."

  They continued across the square, but the ripple had become a wave, more heads turning, more whispers spreading. Not the instant hostility they'd encountered in Rothaven, but something potentially more dangerous: interest.

  I need to update myself on Federation standards of communication, how could they know? Did messenger birds become common? Divination should be taboo to these people, and there's no way a theurg would waste his time relaying this information to the common folk of all people

  The stables were in sight when a man stepped into their path, tall, broad-shouldered, with the insignia of the local militia on his leather jerkin, flanked by a small slate of steel, glowing like a beacon to her magical sense. His expression was neutral, but his stance communicated authority.

  What is this mortal trinket?

  Deeper observation offered no insight, it seems to shine like a star, and for a moment, she was held captive like a moth to a flame.

  "Greetings, travelers," he said, his voice carrying enough to draw her attention back.

  "The harbormaser mentioned Federation knights passing through. What brings the Order of Simon to our humble port?"

  Caldus stepped forward, his posture relaxed but alert. "Simple passage, Captain. We're escorting Lady Tanner to her family in the south."

  The militia captain's eyes flicked to Lynara, assessing. "Strange route to take to the southern provinces."

  "The mountain passes are treacherous this time of year," Caldus replied without pause.

  "Indeed," the captain agreed, though his expression suggested he found the explanation lacking. "And yet, word travels faster than boats. Interesting rumors from Rothaven in the morning rollcall."

  Caldus's expression didn't change, but Lynara sensed the subtle shift in his stance, weight centering, preparing for potential conflict. "Rumors often exaggerate," he said neutrally.

  "Often true," the captain conceded. "Though when the rumor involves a Sverdish noblewoman traveling under Federation protection, and then a group matching that description appears in my town..." He left the implication hanging.

  Lynara made a swift calculation. The situation was deteriorating rapidly, but perhaps not irretrievably. This required a touch of finesse.

  "Captain," she said, stepping forward despite Caldus's subtle gesture to remain behind him. She spoke with a 1/3rds off facsimile of an accent from Aurestia's southernmost coast, a dialect she had mastered during her last Long Game. "I understand your concerns. These are troubled times, and vigilance is commendable."

  The captain's attention fixed on her, surprise evident at her willingness to engage directly.

  "However," she continued, "rumors that conflate political arrangements with ancient grudges serve no one. I am Lady Amelia Tanner, and while I cannot speak to this Sverdish woman you've heard of, I can assure you that my only desire is passage through your beautiful port with minimal disruption."

  She could feel Caldus's tension beside her, ready to spring into action and shut her mouth, but he maintained his composure. She stood, projecting nothing but calm assurance and a touch of aristocratic indignation at being delayed.

  The captain studied her for a long moment, then glanced at the gathering crowd. The mood was shifting, curiosity rather than hostility, at least for now.

  "Lady Tanner," he said finally, "forgive my directness, but these knights are known to serve the Holy See. Their presence with a noblewoman of... unclear origins... raises questions I'm obligated to address."

  Lynara sensed the critical juncture. Push too hard, and suspicion would crystallize. Retreat, and they'd appear guilty. The solution presented itself with clarity.

  "Your diligence honors your position," she said, allowing a subtle smile. "Perhaps we might continue this conversation somewhere more private? I'm certain we can address your concerns to everyone's satisfaction."

  The captain hesitated, then nodded. "My office is nearby."

  She replied with a flawlessly curtsy, as directed by Caldus not long ago.

  As they followed him away from the crowded square, Caldus moved close enough to whisper: "What are you doing?"

  "Buying us time," she murmured back. "And creating options."

  His expression darkened. "This wasn't the plan."

  "Plans adapt to circumstances, Ser Knight. Or would you prefer a repetition of Rothaven? I can't very well be a noble woman who lets her guard do everything"

  That silenced him, though his displeasure remained evident in the rigid set of his shoulders. Lynara noted the reaction with interest. For all his discipline, Caldus struggled with situations he couldn't control through force or authority. A useful weakness.

  The militia captain's office was sparse but orderly, a desk, several chairs, maps of the coastline on the walls, some pins highlighting trade routes and their neighbours. He gestured for them to be seated while two of his men remained by the door.

  "Now," he said once they were settled, "let's speak plainly."

  Lynara leaned forward slightly "I appreciate directness, Captain. What would you like to know?"

  "Your true identity, to start."

  Caldus interjected: "She has already told you-"

  "Ser Knight," the captain cut him off, "I've served this port for fifteen years. I know when political winds shift. A week ago, a bird came whispering that a Sverdish noble would be traveling under Federation protection, unusual enough to note. Then this morning, reports of a disturbance in Rothaven involving a woman matching your companion's description." He turned back to Lynara. "So I ask again: who are you really?"

  She could see Caldus freeze at the comment, a thousand thoughts racing behind his eyes.

  Lynara considered her options. The situation had additional variables now, complications that required adjustment to her approach. The direct lie was no longer viable, but a strategic partial truth might serve.

  She sighed, allowing her shoulders to slump slightly, the picture of resignation. "You are correct that I am not Lady Tanner," she admitted, hearing Caldus's sharp intake of breath beside her. "My name is Anya Brahe, and I am indeed from the Sverdish Isles."

  The captain nodded, unsurprised. "And your purpose here?"

  "Diplomatic," she replied simply. "The details are sensitive, which is why we travel with this... discretion."

  "Discretion," the captain repeated, his tone skeptical. "Is that what we're calling it when knights flee a town in the middle of the night?"

  "A misunderstanding," she explained, her voice taking on a note of cultured embarrassment. "I made a cultural error, a gesture that holds different meaning here than in my homeland. The situation escalated beyond what anyone intended."

  The captain's expression remained neutral, but his posture had relaxed fractionally. "And these knights? They're your escort or your jailers?"

  Caldus stirred beside her, but Lynara placed a gentle hand on his arm. For a beat he seemed on the verge of smacking it off, though he relented slightly.

  "They are my protection," she said firmly. "Both from those who might wish me harm and from my own ignorance of your customs. Ser Caldus has been most... instructive in helping me understand Federation ways."

  The captain observed the interaction between them with sharp eyes, clearly noting the complexity in their dynamic. After a moment, he nodded slowly.

  "I see." He leaned back in his chair. "Porto Agile prides itself on neutrality in Federation politics. We welcome trade from all nations, including occasionally vessels from the Sverdish Isles."

  Lynara allowed a flicker of hope to show in her expression.

  "However," the captain continued, "our neutrality has limits. If your presence threatens the peace of my town, I cannot permit you to stay..." He paused for a moment "Without incentive." he finished his sentence, an awful leer painting his features.

  "We seek only passage," Caldus interjected. "Horses, supplies, and we'll be on our way before sunset." He stopped for a second, before reaching into a tightly secured pouch in his cloack.

  "Here's a token of my gratitude, in 2 months time you will be able to collect" he handed an off artifact, a plan coin, almost like a marble, nothing inscribed on it.

  They still use this kind of Alm to bribe I see, your sanctity saved, for a small price.

  The captain considered this, then nodded. "Very well. I'll arrange an escort to the eastern gate. May the road be kind to you ."

  Lynara had to carefully temper her emotions, with Ser knight so close, a fluctuation would be fatal for her plan, though she did allow a tiny smile to bloom on her features.

  "Thank you, Captain," she said with perfect sincerity. "Your understanding is most appreciated."

  As they left the office, Caldus's hand closed around her upper arm, his grip firm but not painful. "A word," he said, his voice low and controlled.

  Once they were out of earshot of the militia, he released her arm and turned to face her, his expression thunderous. "You revealed your identity against my explicit orders."

  "I prevented a situation that could have become violent," she countered calmly. "The captain already knew, or strongly suspected. Denying it would only have hardened his position."

  "That wasn't your decision to make." Caldus said with ice he didn't feel.

  "Would you rather I had maintained the pretense until he decided to detain us for questioning? Or until word spread through the town and we faced another mob?"

  "You should have consulted me first." he said, looking for a flaw in her argument, but not finding any before she spoke again.

  "There wasn't time," she replied, allowing a hint of frustration to color her tone, then a tinge of contrition "I made a judgment based on the situation before us. If it was wrong, I apologize, but I believed it necessary."

  The conflict played out across his features, anger warring with grudging acknowledgment that her intervention had indeed secured their passage. Finally, he exhaled sharply.

  "Don't make a habit of taking such initiatives," he said, his voice still stern but the edge of anger dulled. "My responsibility is your safety, and I cannot ensure it if you act on your own."

  She lowered her gaze, the picture of chastened. "I understand, Ser Knight. It won't happen again."

  A satisfied nod later, they moved on.

  As they rejoined the others and continued toward the stables, Lynara maintained her subdued demeanor outwardly. Inwardly, however, she was recalculating.

  Caldus's reaction told her much. He valued control, yes, but his anger stemmed less from her disobedience and more from concern that her actions might have endangered herself and their mission. A protector's instinct, not merely a soldier's adherence to protocol.

  The seeds she had planted were taking root, small tendrils of connection forming between them. Not trust yet, but something adjacent to it: mutual recognition. He was beginning to see her as more than a scared little diplomatic package, incapable of standing up by herself.

  By sunset, they had secured horses and supplies and were well beyond Porto Agile's borders, traveling south along the coastal road. Lynara rode beside Caldus, their mounts matching pace. The setting sun cast long shadows before them, the road ahead winding between sea cliffs and dense forest.

  "We'll make camp once we're further from town," Caldus announced as twilight deepened. "There's a sheltered cove two miles ahead that offers protection from both elements and prying eyes, it's not easy to travel at night, but worry not, our steeds are trained to follow us into uncertainty."

  Lynara nodded, her posture deliberately suggesting fatigue while her mind remained sharp as ever. "How long until we reach the Holy See at this pace?"

  "A month, perhaps less if we encounter no further... incidents." The pause was pointed, though not unkind.

  "Then we should continue your lessons," she suggested quietly. "I have much still to learn about Federation customs."

  Caldus glanced at her, "You wish to learn, despite today's independent streak?"

  "Especially after today's events," she replied with perfect sincerity. "Knowledge is survival, as you've demonstrated. I would learn from your expertise, Ser Knight, if you're still willing to teach."

  He studied her for a long moment, then nodded once. "Tonight, then. After we've made camp."

  As they rode onward into the gathering darkness, Lynara allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.

  One step closer.