Ren wondered if the Skarlan king's early arrival meant he'd get the chance to meet the man and his daughter before his departure. He had never seen them before outside of paintings. Over a hundred years of conflict had kept each ruler on his own side of the border except for in times of war, and this new peace was reluctant, cold and strange.

The courtyard, when they entered, was alive with activity. The main gates flanked by guards were wide open. Guests were arriving, not just from within the city itself, but from all over Frayne, lords and ladies invited to participate in celebrating their future king.

Ren handed the reins of his mare to a stable-boy. A group of servants off-loaded the boar from Niklas' horse and Hellic hovered around it like it was made of glass until he and Ren were ushered inside.

“I'll see you before you leave,” Niklas assured Ren, voice raised over the noises of the working crowd as they went their separate ways.

The inside of the castle was, if possible, even more chaotic than the courtyard. Serving girls and slaves flitted around Ren and Hellic in the corridors, muttering pardons and stopping only briefly to offer their crown prince respectful greetings. White and golden ribbons hung from the ceiling and brightly coloured summer flowers brightened the sill of every arched window.

The door to King Callun's private chambers was open. Like Hellic and Ren, Callun didn't seem to be in the best of moods. He paced around the large oak table in the centre of the room, waving away servants arriving with folded sets of clothing as if they were annoying flies. His neatly trimmed beard was shot through with grey hairs and Ren imagined the stress of the Skarlans' arrival had added several new ones.

Hellic greeted Callun as his father, Ren as his king.

“Father, I took down a boar in the woods,” Hellic said.

King Callun's smile was strained when he turned towards them and patted Hellic's shoulder. “Really? That's marvellous. Go and change out of your riding clothes. Keelan is waiting for you in your chambers.”

Ren looked at Hellic, who lingered, perhaps expecting his father to say more, but the king had already turned his attention to Ren.

Hellic turned and left.

“I'll get ready to depart,” Ren said, making to follow Hellic out, but Callun's hand on his shoulder stopped him and turned him back around.

“The transport ship meant to take you has run aground,” King Callun said. He looked tired, like he hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in days. “The negotiations have been cancelled.”

A rush of joy brought a smile to Ren's face, but the king's expression didn't change, and what he said next made Ren's smile fade as quickly as it had appeared.

“I have another job for you instead. Something important. Return to your rooms and I'll send my advisors to inform you.”