Mika grimaced. “Took her clothes off?”

“I suppose it was the best way to convince them.”

“Seregil is no stranger to that argument,” Thero noted dryly.

“What happened then?” the boy asked.

“She led a great army and a band of loyal wizards against the king and his son, her own beloved cousin, and won back the throne. There have been queens ever since, as the Lightbearer intended. She was a great queen—kind, just, and a fearless warrior, just like her ancestor, Gherilain the First. During her reign she founded Rhíminee as her new capital, and built the Orëska House to reward the loyal wizards. From that time they’ve been known as—”

“The Third Orëska,” Mika chimed in. “Master Thero taught me the history of the wizards of Skala. The First Orëska was the Aurënfaie, and the Second was the free wizards of mixed blood, before they became the Third Orëska and came to live in Rhíminee.”

“But not the queens? What sort of education is Thero giving you?”

“The boy has had enough to contend with, learning the basics and getting used to life in the Orëska House,” said Thero. “Plenty of time for history lessons.” He paused and raised an eyebrow at Seregil. “Perhaps you’d like to instruct him in subjects of that nature? You’re well versed and long-winded. Perfect qualifications for a tutor.”

Seregil grinned and flipped him a rude two-fingered gesture behind Mika’s back.

It was nearly dark by the time they sailed out of the Canal and moored in Cirna’s deep, sheltered harbor. The beacons atop the pillars there roared with flame, casting wavering paths of light across the water.

The top of the column on the left was carved in the form of a fish emerging from a wave to signify the Immortal Astellus the Sailor, who watched over those who traveled by water and guided the newly dead to Bilairy’s dark gate. The capital on the right bore the stylized flame of Sakor, Immortal of bravery and war, and patron to soldiers.

After supper Alec stretched out on a hatch cover and stared up at the sky. Nearby Seregil was laughing with the captain and Klia while they played bakshi on the deck with several sailors.

It was a clear night; the starlight was bright enough to read by. Away from the city with its lanterns and high walls, the stars were so plentiful that they looked like handfuls of glittering sand thrown across the black vault of the sky.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Thero, sitting down beside him with Mika.

“It feels like you could fall up into it.”

Thero lay back beside him, resting his head on his folded arms. “I see what you mean, though I never thought of it like that before. Mika, do you see the constellations I’ve been teaching you?”

“That’s the Soldier, and there’s the Swan, and the Belt of Illior.” Mika pointed this way and that. “And the Crown of Three, and the Eight Ladies.”