Luista awoke with a start, one hand flying to her neck and the other grabbing the hilt of her sword. Elesen backed away slightly, hands raised and a slight smile on his face. "Easy," he said. He held out a hand to help her up, but Luisita only ignored it.

She shook her head twice to rid herself of sleep, and stood up as she stretched her arms over her head. The rain was falling lightly outside. It wasn't anything like the past few days, but the fact that it had started to rain once again made her antsy about how the day would go. "Time?" she asked, looking down at her boots and slipping her feet into them.

"Four in the morn," he said,"we've got plenty of time to find them if they're still in town. I sent word last night to the witness that we would be there before the sun rose, so we best leave now."

"All right."

Once they were packed up they left the inn, leaving the horses in the stables. The walk was short,and soon they were at the house. It was nothing big, but it wasn't too awfully tiny either. Whoever built it had lots of time to spare ,Luistia decided, as it had several little drawings carved into the wood near the bottom and top of the door. She let Elesen knock, and watched as he held himself taller and puffed out his chest a bit while waiting for them to open the door. When they did open it she figured out why instantly.

With a chuckle they were welcomed in by a large man. He wore near the same outfit as Elesen, though not half as well made. "Elesen, you fair the same as always. Do you grow not, or am I just too big?" he asked with a laugh. He wore a smile almost as big as him. "You are here for information, no doubt."

Elesen changed when they went inside, almost like he did when knocking. Suddenly he seemed more sure of himself, more confident. He spoke like he did to his mother when she first met him-deeper and calm. "The spies. They are still in Sydeni, correct?"

The man nodded, "Sure be. They made plans to leave on a ship to Partrall. That ship comes in later tonight, so if you want to catch them it would have to be then."

"Peter, thank you. But we cannot afford to wait until night, too much is at stake here," Elesen said. He shook his head, "Naught, but we cannot get them during the day, either. They are skilled magicians, they would see us and ensnare us in a trap before we might lay hands upon them."

Peter sat down on a stool, and Luisita followed his example. Both watched him as he stood there, trying to decide what they would do. Peter hadn't seemed to notice that Luistia was there yet, but she didn't mind. It was Elesen's word that had gotten them that far, and she had no job other than to protect him and bring back the orb.

He looked between them, then glanced at a wall in the room. It was barren save for a table that rested against it. For a moment, nothing was said, and the room was utterly silent. Then he spoke again, more sure of himself, "Thou can take us to the port. How long of a journey shall that be?"

"If we left now we would reach the port by late supper," Peter said. He stood up, "I trust that you plan to wait for them and get them there, no?"

"No, I plan to let them leave on the boat."

Luistia blinked, "What?" We've come all this way and he plans to just let them leave? Some prince he be. "Elesen, that cannot be. If they leave, Partrall gets the orb. We will have already lost if ya allow this ta happen."

"I know."

"And you still wish to go and let them leave?"

He nodded.

"No."

Elesen laughed at that, and he motioned for her to stand. "Luistia, thou hath no right to say no. Trust me on this, they will leave on that ship and they will be good and fine, not a hand lain on them. To hurt them would be for the both of us to die, you must realize this. Thou art a failed magician, and I am hardly a beginner. Dubbed with the likely chance they are protected by Partrall spies, there is no way that we could get them here."

No way ta get them here...but there? "You mean we art ta follow them, that be?"

"That be so."

Peter nodded, "If that is the plan, than that it'll be. We should leave now if we are to reach the port before the ship."

***

The Port of Sydeni was a large and booming place. There were more people packed in there than Luistia had ever seen before-and most all of them looked different. Women walked past in outfits shorter than she'd seen before, and showing off their assets as well. The men had odd shirts, and most of them were older. No man under the age of fifty or over sixteen was to be seen. Fishermen had several stands set up where they were selling their goods, and merchants of all places were doing the same. Several times she found herself caught between smelling raw fish, cooked fish, and cut wood. Everyone who was selling or buying ignored the rain, walking through it calmly or wearing hats to keep the rain of fthem. They spoke several languages, though the majority was leaning towards Gardelle. Rufella, Bevuna, and Wessnit were high in favor too. Here, people ranged from rich to poor, all trying to make deals and get something more than they were giving.

Luistia frowned at several boys who were running about, knocking into people and cursing in Bevuna, but she didn't say anything. Back in Gardelle they did the samething, though she was lucky if they had the curtsey to curse in a language she didn't know. Peter grabbed one by the back of his shirt, then let him go after glaring for a second. The boys were giggling and didn't seem to mind. Great Gods, can't go no where without children being children, can you? Aye, least they are okay during this storm. Her heart ached for her sister, and it took a lot for her to keep herself from running to the docks outright. The queen has sent her men-they probably have already got her and are on their way back, she thought. She'll be okay.

Lots of the stands had beaded necklaces made of shells and the like. As the three of them walked through, she glanced by at a row of necklaces. They were carved, obviously handmade, and a young girl around Elesen's age was selling them. He noticed them as well, and gave the girl a smile.

"Thou made these?" he asked her. She nodded. "They are stunning." At that, she blushed the slightest bit and gave him a smile. "How much do they cost?"

"Five pence," she said. Her voice was small and tiny, and it was easy to see that she wasn't used to selling them by herself. "They would look nice on your harlly."

Elesen coughed, "Um, she isn't my-"

"We aren't courting," Luistia told her. She laughed some, "He be but a child, dear."

She smiles wider, "He is handsome. Any girl would be lucky to have him as theirs." The girl sighed dreamily, "You look much like the prince."

Elesen shrugged, "I hath been told that. But, fair be it, I fall short of such standards." He gave her a lopsided smile, then picked up a necklace. "Here, I will buy this," he said, and handed her the money. He held it carefully in his hands, admiring it. "This be infused with a peculiar charm. Thy did this thyself?"

She nodded again, putting away the money in a pouch without taking her eyes off of him. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her eyes were the color of softened gold. Elesen felt his throat tighten the more she looked at him, and he coughed again. "What be your name?" he asked her quickly.

"Bethany."

"I am...Els," he said, "it is a pleasure to meet you, Bethany. Where did-where did you find the stones to complete the spell? One such as that must have taken days."

"They are found naturally here," Bethany said. She lowered her voice some, "So you can feel the spell? You must be a magician. Tell me, who teaches you? I have been hard pressed to find any such teacher since the law was created, and all of us magicians who are left have nothing. Please, Els, tell me you have good word."

Luistia found herself drawn to watching the two of them talk. Elesen leaned in closer to her, keeping his voice low as well. He smiled as if they were conspiring about something when he spoke, "I hath heard that the Queen is to lift the law soon."

"Is that because of the war?"

"Does everyone know of that already?"

She nodded slowly, her voice sad. "Sadly, my brothers and father have already joined up with the army. I hear Partrall is sending people from both Linter and Bevual, and that they plan to take control of Webby as well. But, if magic to lift, that would give us some advantage, right?"

He took a deep breath before he answered, "I do believe it might. Thank you, Bethany. We must be back on our way."

"Lovely days," she said.

"And fair travels to you," he told her. Then, they began to walk again. Peter and Luistia walked together behind the prince, neither talking. For a moment they shared a look, which Luistia took to mean as 'What was that?' Elesen, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice either of their confusion. He walked as if he owned the ground under his feet. Which he did. He turned around to glance at them, "If news of war has come so quickly, then we must assume the spies know as well."

Peter gave him a short nod, "That is right. I cannot go any further from here, though." He stopped walking just as they began to get closer to the docks. There, several ships sat waiting, though Luistia did not know which one the spies would be leaving on. "They are said to leave on the ship Shorkle, that is all I can say."

Elesen shook his hand. "Thanks be to thou, Peter. Thy hath done enough for us, we can from here manage fine," he said. Then he handed him a small, tied up leather bag. "From my mother."

Peter chuckled, "Tell her that she is kind when you see her next, my boy. Do not do anything stupid. If anyone is to rule next, I assume you are far more capable than your sister."

Elesen chuckled as well, smiling some. "That is yet to be seen. Good day, and fair travels."

"The same back!" Peter said, then he turned and walked away.

Within moments he was lost in the crowd of people that continued to walk by, bumping into the two of them. Luistia's gaze stayed on where he had left for a moment, then she looked back to Elesen, who had her back to her. Already he was beginning to walk towards the ships, fully confident. His body swayed just slightly as he moved, and he kept his head held up high. She rolled her eyes as she followed him, Aye, leave it to a prince to be so odd.

"What's ya plan," she asked him, her voice low.

He fingers the necklace as he walks, rubbing the smooth shells and the harsh line of wool that strung them together. "We are to get on that ship."

"What if it's already left?"

"Then we will leave get on one ourselves and row ourselves there," he said. She started to laugh until she saw his face-which was hard set. He's not joking, is he? Luistia asked him what he planned to do next, and he was silent for a moment. "First, we are to find out where the spies are now. That shouldn't be too hard-Peter said that they were in the pub the majority of their time in Sydeni as they waited for a ship to come through. We visit there, find them, and wait for the Shorkle to dock."

He began walking again, thistime back into the port and through the crowd. They passed the same stands as before until they were once again back at the stand selling shell necklaces. Bethany was sitting there looking bored, with her hand holding up her chin and elbow resting on the stand. A few people stopped to ask about prices, but none stayed for long. Elesen waited for a second or two, then walked up to the stand and smiled down at her.

It took Bethany a moment to notice him, and when she did she perked up instantly. "You're back so soon?"

"Actually, I'm in need of thous help, if you wouldn't mind," he said. One arm swooped out towards the crowd, and the other he pointed towards her. "You see all these people, yes? So thou would know if someone were to look different or suspicious?"

"Ya, I guess so," she said. Bethany rubbed the back of her ear, "Why?"

"If thou hath time, there be three men who fair dangerous and bad. They hold in their possession an orb that was stolen, and if you are to see it or feel the magic in the air, it would be of great help to us," he said. The way hes poke to her was gentle, and in the same manner that one would ask a loved one if they were going to wash the dishes. "Mine friend and I shall be in the tavern today, and if thy get the chance come find us."

"Of course." She smiled, pushing a fallen strand of hair back behind her ear. Then, she took out a piece of bread from her pocket. It had been folded over several times before being baked and had dried honey on it. "I made it myself."

"It smells delicious," he said. Then he reached into his pocket for his change. Bethany shook her head, holding out the piece of bread to him. "For me?" he asked, looking both shy and confused at the same time. She nodded. "Why?"

"I can see you guys are on a hard journey, whatever that be. I wanted to give you something," she said. Then she blushed, her light brown skin easily showing the redness of her cheeks. "If I see anyone like that I will find you, I promise."

"Thank you."

She turned to Luistia, "You two are going into danger, aren't you?" Luistia shrugged, but couldn't help from smiling the slightest bit. Young love, how cute, she thought. They just met and she's already worried. Aye, children. "Keep him safe. That way when he returns we might see each other again."

Elesen coughed at that, and Luistia couldn't help but laugh some. He stammered something or another, then finally said, "That-that would be nice-nice, yeah. I, uh, yeah."

"Of course I shall," Luistia told her, "Come on now, Els. We have places ta be. I don't 'pose ya think we have all ta time in ta world, do ya? We best go, but thank the lady 'fore we leave."

He did so, and soon they were moving away, with Bethany staring after him and Elesen looking back at her every once in awhile. Unlike before, where he was walking confident and had his head held high, he walked slower and kept his body more confined. Luistia bumped into him as they walked into the tavern, "Aye, ya get ya head outta ta clouds. Ya act like ya've never met a pretty lady 'fore."

He didn't reply until they were seated and both had a cup of ale before them. They say in the back, both facing the doors so they could see anyone who looked suspicious. Elesen took a large gulp before he answered, "I haven't."

"Ya live with royalty and beautiful woman of all sorts," Luistia told him.

He shook his head. "They are...nice. But they aren't pretty. They're perfect, all dolled up and wearing fancy dresses with ruffles and they...they..." he sighed, "they aren't pretty. Besides, being a prince isn't as thou might think. Sure, I get a proper education, and I do attend dances and balls that my family hosts. But I also learn of the people, and my job is to become King one day, and to defend Gardelle with my life."

"Why this, then?" Luistia asked, "why risk ya life for an orb?"

He took another drink before he responded, his voice grim and darker than before. "Because if we allow them to reach Partrall with this orb...there will be no Gardelle for me to defend. Because if I allow them to defeat us, I lose every chance I have. All mine life I hath been a failure-mine sister is better with swords, and she fairs three years younger than me. Father believes that this should make me stronger, and Mother believes that mine skill in magic is only a trick, I know they do," he said. He sighed, "This be for me as much as it be for Gardelle. I am weak."

Luistia took a drink as well, then set her cup down on the table hard. "Weak?"

"Yes, I am weak-"

"Ya call it weak ta put yaself on a dangerous journey, knowing you might die, and knowing you could fail?" she laughed in-between her words, "Elesen, ya don't know weak. Weak is to sit there and watch your kingdom fall apart and do nothing. Ya're here. Now, shut up, 'cause we have work to be done. Tonight we board with spies, and we leave ta Partrall ta more than likely kill ourselves trying ta rescue an orb."