‘The stories say that the Aleutheans had a golden lighthouse so powerful it could be seen for a hundred miles,’ Dion continued. ‘To defeat the eldren, they must have had magic of their own. We need to learn more about them. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that magic is to be respected.’

‘Let’s just get out of here,’ Cob said. ‘And remind me not to sign up for a voyage like this again.’

‘Finn!’ Dion called. ‘Are you done? We’re leaving.’

‘I still have goods to sell!’

‘We’re leaving. Right now. I want this ship sailing as fast as possible for home.’

‘You’re just the captain’s mate. You can’t tell me what to do.’

Dion leveled a stare at his richly dressed friend.

‘Fine, fine,’ Finn muttered.

But as Dion started up the gangway, out of the corner of his eye he saw Finn take a purse from one of the merchants and the two men clasp palms, before Finn hurried after him. Dion scowled at Finn, who gave him a look of innocence.

‘I can’t turn away good profit,’ he protested.

‘Make all haste!’ Dion called to the crewmen. ‘Get us moving!’

Soon the Liberty was drifting away from the pier. Dion stood at the vessel’s stern, gazing at the city. He’d learned more than he’d ever thought he would.

And the knowledge was more than unsettling.

‘What just happened?’ Palemon thundered. He towered over Zara, fists bunched at his sides as he glared at her.

‘There was something you were unaware of, sire,’ Zara said smoothly. ‘You were just speaking with Dion, the king of Xanthos.’

‘What?’ Kyphos spluttered. He slowly frowned. ‘The first mate?’

‘The very same. I was watching. When you threatened him, he was still confident. He removed his silver necklace. Why? Evidently so he could change his form. As we learned from our Ilean captives, he is half-eldran. I approached and it was confirmed. I can charm most men, but my magic had no effect on him at all.’

‘The king of Xanthos? Even more reason to capture him,’ Palemon said, whirling to face the direction of the harbor. ‘We should summon our forces—’

‘Sire,’ Zara interrupted sharply. ‘We were not prepared for him. Even you . . . Are you certain you could face a shapeshifter and be guaranteed of victory? He is a powerful king, which explains the vessel. It will be full of fighting men. No, he took us by surprise. We will let him leave, and soon he will be gone.’

‘What does this mean?’ Kyphos asked.

‘It means that the king of Xanthos is aware of our plans,’ Zara said.