Page 26 of Queen's Griffon

So what would he do with her?

“What?” Griff startled as he realized Kreed was speaking to him.

“I asked what now?”

“We unload the boat and then study our most recent reports to decide what cargo ship we’re going to hit next.” Their network of spies in the many ports sent regular missives via albatross—the birds having been trained to fly between Saarpira and other cities.

“I meant what are we doing with the queen?” Kreed asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t give her a bodyguard.”

“Whatever for?” Griff replied with puzzlement.

“You’re not worried she’ll be a target?”

“For whom? There are no Daervian knights here to arrest her.”

“No, but the assassin's guild might still be looking to collect given they failed to kill her before.”

The thought hadn’t even occurred. Griff frowned. “They wouldn’t dare assassinate her here.” The agreement the guild had with Saarpira meant they didn’t operate on the isle but rather sent its operatives to the locations that hired them.

“Perhaps not, but they might decide to return her to Daerva.”

“Kidnapping someone in my care?” Griff growled. “They’d better not.”

“Wouldn’t really be abduction if she agreed to go.”

“She wouldn’t. She knows the new Daervanian king will execute her.”

“They might lie to get her on a ship. After all, she’s very single-minded about her desire to head to Verlora. All it would take is one of them making a false promise and she’d go willingly aboard. Once there, there wouldn’t be anything she could do to stop them from handing her over to whoever pays the highest price, which might not even be the king. I know you weren’t serious before, but the emperor would probably be interested in the queen because of her bloodline.”

Griff’s lips pinched. “If the assassins attempt to remove her, they will regret it.”

“Will they? Given the amount of gold most likely at stake, do you think they’ll worry about pissing you off?”

“I’ll disband their guild if they try,” Griff growled.

“And they’d relocate to the new one they opened on Merisu.” A recent expansion that the guild master had claimed would help them to better serve their biggest customer.

“Why do you care so much what happens to her anyhow?” Griff blustered. Maybe Kreed had an answer since he didn’t.

“For one, because she’s not an annoying twat, which is surprising considering her royal roots and the rumors about her siblings. Two, it’s been nice seeing Simhi hang with a female her age instead of some crusty sailors. Three, she doesn’t deserve being used as a pawn, and four…” Kreed paused. “I can’t help but wonder if she can help us return to Verlora.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Griff blasted.

“Why are you so against even trying?”

“Because trying equals death.”

“You can’t be sure of that.”

“Would you like to go have a chat with Vinmo?” Griff snapped. “Because no one else ever made it out alive. And I’m tired of repeating myself!”

With that, Griff stalked off his ship, heading into the city. He gave head bobs to those who greeted him, but he lacked the proper mood to stop and talk.

As he stomped, he kept an ear open for trouble—aka. the little queen. He didn’t spot her in any alleys or being bundled into any trunks. Kreed was most likely overreacting. Still, Griff didn’t relax until he located her, in the castle library of all places, holding a book he’d not looked at in years.

---