gravelly voice rumbled, “I received your message and here we are. How long has it been?” Cooper stepped forward to grasp the man’s extended hand, “Too long, sir. But unexpected events have made things difficult. I apologize for sending such a, well, vague message but I couldn’t risk providing specifics. I hope to explain everything this evening aboard the ship of the First Merchant.” Cooper pointed northeast, in the general direction of Mardon’s ship, amidst the others that comprised the Wharf City. “The First is a bit of a reluctant host in this matter. I hope you won’t feel insulted if I suggest that your men remain… sober, until after the meeting?” Captain Rigel tilted his head as if to better gauge Cooper’s expression, then replied, “We can host it here. We should be ready by six or seven.” Then he raised his voice loud enough to be heard across the deck, “And my crew will remain sober until I release them to leave the vessel!” The crew responded predictably and Cooper felt a little uncomfortable, “Well, sir. Once the meeting’s over, anyone remaining involved might be spending several more days sober. I didn’t want to volunteer your ship for the meeting, since you’ve only just arrived and so many eyes are upon you.” Captain Rigel nodded, “Because so many are watching, and many people coming and going is expected, that makes it the ideal place to have a meeting. How many will be coming, do you think? Cooper quickly tallied the numbers, “Enough men to crew a fair-sized ship, I would guess that to be between fifteen and twenty plus eight, perhaps ten of my own people… so at least two dozen but no more than thirty people.” Captain Rigel nodded as he began trying to figure out what the young man had planned. Cooper added, “I’ll make everything clear this evening, sir. I’d rather not explain it more than once, if I can help it. I’ll say this; it’ll be dangerous, but it should be profitable. More importantly, it needs to be done.” He turned to walk toward the gangway and stopped, turned back, fished his token from his pouch and displayed it, then added, “And sir? Refer to me now as “Kinsman”, and please inform the crew.” If the captain was surprised by this announcement, it didn’t show. Kinsman shook hands with the First Mate as he left the ship. Birt and Loryn hurried along behind. Birt was the first to speak, “I thought you were bringing me along to talk business…?” Cooper shrugged, “I thought so too, but Captain Rigel was willing to accept a minimal explanation. We’re gathering on the Sundancer between six and seven. We need to be there by six. Go back and tell the others.” Loryn asked, “What about you?” Cooper clenched his jaw, “I’m going to talk to Mardon, to let him know he won't be expected to host the meeting and to tell him to have his people on the Sundancer a little before seven.” They parted ways and as he neared the First’s ship he had already decided, “We may need to limit our dealings with the Wharfsiders after this, at least for a while.” He disliked the feeling that he couldn’t fully trust his allies but “Mardon’s greed is starting to show.”
*****
Iona sat at her desk (“I now have a desk of my very own!”) and thought about the events of the last few days. As she considered the sheer numbers of people who made demands on the prince’s time, it was a wonder that he managed anything else. Still, every day, after dismissing courtiers and commoners alike, he called in several councilmen and advisors and they discussed “old business”. They’d covered a few topics before Iona realized that “old business” was merely something that was already being managed and the prince simply wished to be apprised of any progress. Once that category was exhausted, or at least discussed to Prince Lancaster’s satisfaction, he would ask if there was any “new business” that needed his attention. Invariably there would be, but today one of the councilmen had brought up the topic of the Ruins. This was of particular interest to Iona, knowing more than a little about the Ruin’s history as well as a few more recent events. If the councilman was to be believed, the entire district was undergoing a total rebuild. The prince had appeared mildly interested, but certainly not excited. He had inquired, “Is that what the tax collectors have told you?” The councilman nodded emphatically and added, “Several tax collectors sent to investigate rumors have disappeared so I sent another with a contingent of guards. His report to me stated that he was met by a mob that insisted they owned the Ruins. I felt that you should be informed immediately, my liege.” The man bowed his head to show that he felt he’d faithfully discharged his duty. The prince appeared to consider this for a moment then asked, “And were the deeds displayed? If “the mob”, as you call them, claim ownership then they should have documents to that effect.” The councilman had already started to withdraw. The question brought him up short. The man stammered, “Ye-ye-yes, my liege. Some documents were presented, and according to the collector’s report, they appeared genuine, but the idea… well, the Ruins, my liege!” The prince had turned to her, causing everyone else in the room to become still; until that moment it was as if she were either invisible, or beneath notice. He asked, “I seem to recall a report from Yoren about the Ruins. You were involved. Actually, you were almost the subject of his report. Something about an “unprecedented magical phenomenon”, wasn’t it?”
She’d bowed her head, embarrassed by the sudden attention, but replied, “Yes, my prince. That’s exactly right. There was some kind of magical battle that took place in the Ruins several months ago.” This announcement resulted in several of
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