59. On the Horizon
59
ON THE HORIZON
*Kieran*
I sit at my desk in my study, poring over a new trade agreement the representative from Snowcrest Canyon, Floyd, delivered yesterday. So far, being king has included far less heroic resolution of my father’s sins and far more approving announcements of his fall that include apologies and offers of future friendship, followed by the very official refusals from various kingdoms. It’s headache inducing, but I just keep reminding myself that I need to prove I’m completely different from him, and this is the first step.
Going to bed with Raven every night is certainly making bearing that burden easier. At this rate, I’m starting to worry she’s going to have twins conceived on two different nights. Not that that’s possible.
I look out the window at where the Haze has started gathering. Anwen’s birthday was last night, and it’s moving in quickly. Is it possible the Haze considers him old enough now to participate? I’ll have to see if the palace staff needs any help with preparations for the Haze, but I doubt they will, with the last one having happened so recently. Back to the agreement, then.
Someone knocks on my door.
“Come in,” I call.
Taner, now officially my Beta, steps inside and closes the door behind him. “I’ve got news.”
I lean back from my desk, happy to abandon the trade agreement. “Good or bad?”
“Not sure.” He frowns. “The scouts spotted a boat on the horizon.”
“A boat? Here?” I sit bolt upright. The only water that we can access from the palace is the Lonely Sea, and the only kingdom who might reach us across it is Sundrop Gem–whom we haven’t heard from in a century and were feuding with even before that.
Taner nods. “They’ve dropped a rowboat into the water, and it’s on the way here now. Clearly, they want permission to dock.”
I run a hand through my hair. “The Escurians haven’t all left yet, but their king and queen have. We’re still figuring out which soldiers are actually loyal, and don’t get me started on the nobility.” I shake my head. “No. Things are just too volatile.”
“They’re flying a white flag.” Taner shrugs. “And you were the one saying the letters were all well and good, but you didn’t think they meant anything until we actually got other packs to visit.”
“I didn’t think it would be this soon.” I sigh. “And I didn’t think it would be Sundrop Gem.” But turning them down will look much worse. “Give the rowboat the go-ahead. I’ll start gathering people for a formal welcome.”
* * *
A couple of hours later, I stand next to Raven in our royal robes once more, watching a four-masted sailing ship of strange design dock in our harbor.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asks. “ We don’t even know why the feud started.”
“I’m sure we can’t send them away ,” I reply.
She takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders. The ship judders to a stop. A wooden gangplank slides out and thud s onto the dock. Showtime.
Four people in beautiful clothing parade down it in twos. All of them have warm, sand-colored skin, and rich brown hair. The man and woman in the front are middle-aged, perhaps as old as my parents. The man and woman behind them are younger, perhaps our age or a bit younger than that. They smell like nothing I’ve ever encountered before.
The older pair reach us first and bow deeply.
“King Kieran. Queen Raven. Apologies for the abruptness of our arrival,” the man says in a rumbling voice. Up close, his gray eyes are striking, closer to a Dun’s Crossing blue than anything else in his complexion. “We received your letter on an auspicious day, and our holy woman said our trip would have the best luck if we left immediately.”
I bow as well, and Raven follows, after a split second of hesitation. These people talk and dress like royals, and I’d rather not insult the first outsiders to believe something could change in Dun’s Crossing.
“No apologies needed,” I say, “but I’ll admit you have the advantage of us. What is your name, if I may ask?”
He laughs an equally rumbling laugh. “Apologies again. We don’t travel often, and it seems I’ve become used to being recognized. I am Alpha King Isai Sollabella, of Sundrop Gem, and this is Luna Queen Suniva. Behind us are our children, the crown princess Estrella”—the young woman curtsies—“and her younger brother, Castor.” He bows as well.
“Wonderful to meet you all.” I bow again. “Sundrop Gem has a certain reputation for… isolation.” I carefully leave our centuries-old feud unstated. “What brings you here now?”
Luna Suniva clears her throat. “If I may be frank, my husband and I have begun to think that isolation no longer serves us. We were discussing opening lines of communication with various kingdoms when we heard from you and thought there was no better way of re-entering the world than to patch relations with our oldest enemies.”
“We wish to form an alliance,” Alpha Isai finishes. “Or discuss it, at least.”
‘I like that they’re honest ,’ Raven says. ‘ And they’re right for both of us. Repairing old wounds would show everyone we really are a new Dun’s Crossing.’
‘I was starting to think the same thing.’ I eye the royal family. They seem comfortable around each other, moving in easy orbit now that the introductions are done. None of them shy away from each other like my siblings and I used to from each other and our parents.
“I would be honored,” I declare with a smile. “Come, stay in our palace. You ought to know, though, that our current crown prince had a birthday last night. A silver Haze is imminent.”
“How auspicious.” Alpha Isai smiles. “Our Estrella became of age a few months back, and the Haze has yet to visit our land.”
Auspicious, indeed. I don’t know how I feel about this royal family’s seeming attachment to predictions and omens, a branch of Moon Goddess worship I’ve always found suspect, but a mate bond between someone in Dun’s Crossing and their princess would certainly ease relations.
“Follow us.” I turn and lead them into the palace. “We’re so happy to have you in Dun’s Crossing.” I hope this is the beginning of a great friendship.