‘Sorry.’ Chloe smiled, and instead kept the coins in her palm as she tied the belt around her garment once more. Touching Liana’s arm, she then approached the stalls.

She inspected the wares, moving along from one vendor to the next, leaving the tiny statues of gods and goddesses behind and ignoring the hawkers’ pleas until finally she saw the glint of jewelry. Coming to a table where necklaces hung from a vertical board with rows of little pegs, she began to scan the display.

‘All the finest quality.’ The vendor was an older man with graying hair and an imperious manner. ‘Pure copper.’ He waved a hand over another section. ‘Also pure silver. You are interested in gold? I can show you gold also.’

Chloe glanced at Liana before addressing the vendor. ‘Do you have any bronze?’

The vendor frowned. ‘No bronze. By decree, the necklace must be pure.’

Chloe raised an inquiring eyebrow at her friend and Liana gave a slight nod. Running her eyes over the display, Chloe pointed out two copper necklaces, with matching circular medallions displaying the cross and double loop of Aeris. ‘How much for these two?’

‘For two beautiful women such as yourselves, a special price. Two Ilean drachmas or three Shadrian dinari.’

‘This is all I have.’ Chloe handed over a Phalesian silver eagle, making sure he didn’t see she had more.

‘May I?’ The old vendor indicated the scale on his table and Chloe nodded. He weighed the coin and examined the imprint of the eagle. ‘Foreign coins. Phalesian, yes? I have seen these before. You have come a long way, yes?’

Chloe lifted her chin without replying, fixing him with a stare. ‘Is it enough?’

The vendor hesitated, but then finally nodded. ‘The silver is good. Two of these coins.’

‘I told you I have just the one.’ Chloe held out her hand. ‘Give me back my coin. There are other markets.’

He suddenly spread his arms and smiled. ‘A lucky day. The most special of prices for the two beautiful ladies. May the good King Palemon bless you both.’

He handed Chloe the necklaces. ‘Thank you,’ she said, turning away. But then, with a start of realization, her brow furrowed as she glanced back at him. ‘Did you just say Palemon?’

He looked slightly worried. ‘Palemon is king of Malakai. He is a good king. A gracious king. He liberated us from Ilea.’

‘Is that truly his name?’

The old vendor looked from side to side and lowered his voice. ‘He has returned. He is said to be the descendant of Aleuthea.’ His gaze drifted to the tall tower that dominated the city, as if linking it to the new king.

‘That tower. What is it?’

‘It is the Sky Tower. In deepest night, winged creatures, dragons, fly out at the king’s bidding. My sister saw them herself.’

‘Dragons?’ Liana asked.