Page 260 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

It would be dangerous. Many would die. It was possible that they wouldalldie—but there was no other choice. Either they must smite the Nameless One the hour he rose, or wait for him to annihilate the world. Loth would far sooner die with a sword in his hand.

His mother had been distraught to see him leave again, but at least he had been able to say goodbye this time. She and Margret had sent him off at Perchling, as had Sabran, who had given him her coronation ring to show to the Unceasing Emperor. It hung from a chain around his neck.

Her determination was something to behold. It was clear that she feared this alliance, but Sabran would do anything for her subjects. And he sensed this was her way to honor Ead.

Ead. Every time he woke, he thought she was there, on the road with him.

A knock on the door. Loth opened his eyes.

“Yes?”

The cabin girl entered and bowed.

“Lord Arteloth,” she said, “we’re in sight of the other ship. Are you ready to leave?”

“We’ve reached the Bonehouse Trench?”

“Yes, m’lord.”

He reached for his boots. The next ship would take him to the Empire of the Twelve Lakes.

“Of course,” he said. “A moment. I’ll join you on the deck.”

The woman bowed again and retreated. Loth reached for his cloak and satchel.

His bodyguards were waiting outside his cabin. Instead of their full armor, the Knights of the Body that Sabran had lent him wore only mail under their surcoats, which were blazoned with the royal badge of Inys. They shadowed Loth as he made his way up to the deck.

The sky was salted with stars. Loth tried not to look too hard at the water as he strode to the prow of theElegant, where the captain stood with her muscular arms folded.

The Abyss was home to many things that other seas were not. He had heard tell of syrens with needles for teeth, of fish that glowed like candles, of baleens that could swallow a ship whole. In the distance, Loth could make out the hulking shape of a man-of-war, winking with lights. When they were close enough to see its ensign and pennant, he raised his eyebrows.

“TheRose Eternal.”

“The very same,” the captain said. She was an Inysh woman of ruddy complexion and towering stature. “Captain Harlowe knows the Eastern waters. He’ll see you right from here.”

“Harlowe,” one of the Knights of the Body said. “Is he not a pirate?”

“Privateer.”

The knight snorted.

TheElegantdrew up alongside theRose Eternal. No ship could drop anchor in the Abyss, so the crews began tying the vessels together. They drifted in the endless black.

“Fuck me, if it isn’t Arteloth Beck.” Estina Melaugo slapped her hands onto the side and grinned at him. “Didn’t think we’d see you again, my lord.”

“Good evening to you, Mistress Melaugo,” Loth called, pleased to see a face he knew. “I wish we were meeting somewhere more hospitable.”

Melaugo clicked her tongue. “Man walks into Yscalin, but he’s scared of the Abyss. Dry your eyes and get your noble backside up here, lordling.” She dropped a rope ladder and tipped the brim of her hat. “Thank you, Captain Lanthorn. Harlowe sends his regards.”

“Send mine in return,” the captain of theElegantsaid, “and good luck to you out there, Estina. Watch yourself.”

“Always do.”

As his entourage gathered, Loth climbed the ladder. He envied Captain Lanthorn sailing back to blue waters. At the top, Melaugo helped him over and clapped him on the back.

“We all wagered you were dead,” she told him. “How in Halgalant did you escape Cárscaro?”

“The Donmata Marosa,” Loth replied. “I could not have left without her.”

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