Page 43 of The Crown’s Temptation

Junis preferred it that way.

Eravic had named him second mate several months ago, then left him in charge of the ship entirely two days ago when he split off onto another vessel with barely a word of explanation.

He did not need him to explain, just like he had not needed him to explain why he spent almost a year fighting undead in Tearsar. Junis understood all of it was for one person.

Asharin. Pain ran through him as he thought of when they received the news.

But then Eravic had behaved far calmer than he expected and rushed off with Dali in tow. It made Junis wonder if there was something they knew that he did not.

He couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she was not dead at all.

All the same, Junis was still getting used to the title of captain. It would take longer than that, he suspected, to stop expecting orders.

The ship held its course, the wind steady enough that the crew had stopped complaining about it, which was as close to happiness as sailors generally came. He stood at the helm, watching the afternoon sun sink lower over an uneventful horizon.

The Baron lingered near the stern.

Junis watched him only briefly. Originally he had been concerned about him, made sure the Baron had only the best rations. Admittedly he was perplexed as to what the Baron was doing in Gyarin, wearing commoner clothing nonetheless.

But then he noticed that the man's tongue had been removed.

Colsar.

Junis knew his cousin well enough to recognize his work. Colsar did not usually dismember people without reason.

If the Baron had earned that particular punishment, Junis had little interest in discovering why. Whatever grievance existed between them, the man was unlikely to prove a friend of his.

A horn sounded across the water.

Junis turned.

Another vessel approached from the south, smaller and built for speed. One of his sailors leaned over the rail and answered with their own horn, signaling for permission to come alongside.

"They're requesting to board, Captain."

"Bring them in."

The ships drifted together.

A courier crossed first. He bowed, holding out a sealed letter.

"For Captain Junis Rathmor."

Junis accepted it.

The seal stopped him before the handwriting did.

Nyara.

A faint smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. Of course she had found a way.

He broke the seal.

His eyes moved across the page once. Then a second time.

The smile disappeared.

He folded the letter.