He paused, regarding her for a moment. His eyes were dark, sunken into his cheeks, for like his three identical brothers his frame was emaciated, almost skeletal, making his white robe appear overly large on his body. He was as bald as they were, but had three brown spots on his wrinkled scalp, which allowed Chloe to know that she was talking to Zedo, the man she thought of, more than the other three, as her teacher.

Zedo cocked his head, assessing her. ‘You realize that you are not yet ready to leave?’

‘Will they be sailing north?’

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘Ilea always sends an offering at the beginning of spring. When they are finished here, they will return to Lamara.’

Chloe frowned. ‘I’m going to talk to the captain anyway.’ She started to move forward, but the magus called out.

‘Chloe. Stop.’

She turned. ‘I’m not trying to leave. I just want to give them a message. My sister—’

‘Your sister is well. I have already told you. She lives and studies as a novice priestess in Phalesia.’

‘She has no one. And our father’s murderer is Phalesia’s first consul!’

‘Your sister is unaware—’

‘And you think that means she’s any safer? Sophia’s clever. If she finds out the truth, she won’t let it go.’ Chloe’s anger suddenly turned to frustration and sorrow. ‘And she thinks I’m dead, too. Even if I can’t go to her, I can at least tell her . . .’

‘I promise you,’ Zedo said, ‘if a ship comes that can carry word to Phalesia, we will speak with the captain. But that is not the ship you want to entrust with your message. King Kargan is someone who only thinks of how he can strengthen the Ilean Empire.’

Zedo came forward and reached out to clasp her shoulder, a gesture that surprised her, for he rarely showed warmth.

‘Your training is progressing . . .’

‘I haven’t learned anything.’

‘You have learned inner control. The rest is closer to you than you may think.’ He met her eyes as he spoke, his voice soft but filled with import. ‘Remember. Your path to magic is an unusual one. You have a strong natural talent, but it was awakened late in your life. It is a dangerous combination, one that has brought you to your current position, for when the dam broke, what should have been a trickle of power soon became a flood.’

‘But you still haven’t told me why we have to stay here,’ Chloe said. ‘You said this place is special. How? Why can’t we go to Phalesia, perhaps together? Even for a short while?’