Four days went by without the sun to accompany the ship’s voyage east. Instead, and much to the captain’s dismay, dark clouds covered the perfect blue skies that welcomed them a, sea the day the Maiden’s Gem left the port of Osham. 

“It was not just dark clouds,” came a soft whisper from the thin lips of little Elys. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright as she raised her head from her companion’s lap to look the older woman in the eye. “There are bad things out there, says father. Elys and Dawn should stay inside, says father, because the wind can toss us out to the water if we went out.”

“We must then follow your father’s advice and stay here until all the bad things had passed,” Dawn answered, but to her, the worst has passed. The waves had finally gotten tired of tossing their ship, but it was far from giving up. The wood creaked as the ship fought to balance itself on the water. Dawn had to lock her belongings in a heavy chest and forego any activity she would have wished to do, because of the unfriendly sea. 

The girl nodded solemnly, her dark curls bouncing around her face. She sat up and leaned against the wall, hugged her legs, and pressed her lips to a knee. “How long until we reach Nissius, Dawn? I am tired of just sitting here,” was the muffled sound she created. 

“A lady must have patience, Elys,” Dawn gently corrected. The reply was a stubborn pouting face of the five-year-old girl. She was as tired as Elys – tired and bored of sitting around waiting for the sea to calm down. Her room was not uncomfortable. In fact, it was more comfort that what she was used to. The bed was large enough to fit her and Elys without any of them spilling over the edge, the mattress was soft and the blankets thick and warm. There was a table, which she would have used if she was reading or writing, except that when she attempted to read a book, the constant motion of the ship made her sick. A lamp hung overhead, casting a steady glow over the tiny chamber. “It will not be long. We will be back on land in a few more days, then a week’s ride to the capital. Patience, little lady, patience. It will all be worth the long wait. Nissius is a beautiful city, but I hear that the path to the city is more breathtaking.”

Curious blue eyes looked up at her. “Have you ever been to the capital, Dawn?”

“No, not yet.” 

“Then the two of us,” the girl smiled. “It will be our first time.”

Dawn smiled back.

***************

Nissius was a city carved on the face of the Howling Mountains. It was the center of the empire built by the forefathers of the ruling emperor, Emperor Lucius Le Roux, and was home to the royal family and most of the loyal subjects of the emperor. The city itself was a display of wealth and power of the ruling house. Built on a mountain, it all too difficult to miss the white towers and rectangular establishments built on gentle slopes. Although the mountains provided extra fortification against invading armies, Nissius pride was its wards and magical defense towers. Founded centuries ago, it was said to contain the purest and strongest of all magic in existence, that no one had ever succeeded in breaking those wards.

It was also these wards that made the palace secured for all its inhabitants as nobody with ill intention to the emperor and his heir will ever be able to enter the palace grounds without alerting every mage in the perimeter. 

“Therefore, you need not worry yourself, your highness. Our wards are being maintained regularly by our finest warders.”

And the day looked fine outside the castle, the crown prince thought. His back was to one of his father’s advisors, Lord Ernard Haucey of the Arcana. Lord Ernard was older than a middle-aged man, but apart from his gray hair and neatly clipped beard, he did not look a day older than thirty six. He stood tall in his uniform and spoke always with reason. This was why Sig thought it was best to believe the man when he said that there was nothing to worry about.

With a sigh, the crown prince of Nicaea turned away from the clear glass that allowed him an undisrupted view of his city, and conceded. Something was still bothering him, but perhaps he was just being paranoid. The Emperor would be hosting a grand ball in two weeks time to celebrate and formalize the betrothal of his heir. Because of this, all the important people in the empire were expected to arrive. Nissius, and most especially the castle, will therefore be filled to the brim with people whose self importance put together was possibly more substantial than the wealth of all of Nicaea combined. 

“My lord, I am truly concerned, not only for the safety of my father and myself, but also for the security of our guests while they are in the capital. You must therefore forgive me if I ask of you and your men to increase your vigilance and perhaps increase the visibility of the Arcana in the city. I shall speak also with our guards, but,” he paused. The corners of his lips tugged slightly. “Between you and I, I believe that you are more effective enforcers than our regular soldiers.”

“I am flattered. That is truly a wise observation, your highness,” Lord Ernard bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. “However, I am confident that nothing will be amiss. Your guests will go back to their homes unharmed and delighted. I shall place my best men and women on the job.”

“Then prove that I am not wrong. Have you heard from my uncle? He brings with him a most splendid gift – my little cousin Elys and that Galorian woman whose golden voice I have been hearing about. And by the way, has my brother returned to the castle yet?”