Page 48 of Queen's Griffon

“Why does he want them?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care. What I do grasp is my reward quadruples if I return with you both. So we will go to Verlora, and you will find these special rocks. Then we shall sail to Merisu where I shall become a very rich man.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Refuse, and I dump you on Verlora, alone and unarmed. Cooperate, and I’ll send you with some of my best fighters.”

“You really think your people will volunteer? Verlora is deadly to the living.”

“Yet you want to go, and the emperor insists on it, so I have to wonder if that claim is grossly exaggerated.”

Her lips pressed into a tight line. Why did she argue? Let the man drop her on Verlora. She’d slip the sailors he sent with her, find the rocks, and… She didn’t have a clue how she’d sail away, but she did know she’d rather die trying than go meekly to her fate. Marry the emperor indeed.

“It’s settled then. We’ll anchor off the coast of Verlora. You will go ashore, find those rocks, and return.”

She couldn’t help but ask, “And if I die in the attempt? You’ll get nothing.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Hopefully the eyewitness accounts of my crew observing you entering the mist will be enough to convince Benoit of your demise and I’ll still collect a reward.”

A dastardly plan that left her either dead on Verlora, stuck with no way back to Daerva, or returning to Koonis so he could hand her over to the emperor.

An emperor who knew about the stones.

It gave her an idea. “I’d like to converse with your employer.”

“I’m the highest ranked on board.” The captain’s chest puffed.

“I’m aware. I meant the emperor. Let me write to him in your magical notebook.”

“Whatever for?”

“While I am on a quest to find those special stones, I know nothing about them. Not how big or small, or even the color of them, but perhaps your emperor does. It would be helpful.”

The captain appeared pensive before nodding. “I will ask him and if he agrees you’ll be given access to the messaging journal.”

Koonis left the cargo area which held a few crates along with her cage. Avera paced, chewing the tip of her thumb. She’d finally be going to Verlora, just not in a way she’d expected. Whether or not she found the stones and returned to this shipremained to be seen. Then again, she might not have a choice. Being stranded wouldn’t help anyone. At least if the captain took her to Merisu she had a chance. A chance to escape. A chance to stop Zhos. A likelihood of being married against her will.

She slumped to the floor. The thought of what she had to accomplish overwhelmed her. Not to mention, she hadn’t forgotten Opal’s words to find and bring the Griffon on her quest if she wanted the best chance to succeed.

But that ship had literally sailed with her on it. Griff probably thought it was good riddance. Yes, he’d kissed her. He’d probably kissed dozens of other women. It meant nothing. He wouldn’t risk himself, let alone his crew, trying to find her.

It meant she was truly on her own.

Daunting, but she couldn’t give up. She needed to find the positive. Getting to Verlora. Finding the stones. Then she’d worry about how to get back to Daerva.

If she survived.

To her surprise, Koonis returned a short while later holding a slim, leatherbound book and a quill with its ink pot.

“You may write to his eminence. But make it quick. My supper will be ready shortly.” He handed her the items and then stood, watching over her.

Avera hadn’t really thought of what she’d say. She grabbed the quill and held it over a blank page.

Greetings, Emperor Titus. This is Queen Avera Voxspira.Might as well start with an attempt to assert her title.

The text disappeared and her eyes widened. Widened even more when new writing appeared.

Greetings Queen in Exile.

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