The clipper was like a skeleton in the night, its sails furled, its masts spindly. The ship itself was empty, the sailors all being housed in a separate part of the mansion. Leo and Agnes used the ropes tying it up to climb on board, Agnes pitching over the rail with a thud and causing them both to freeze. Leo’s heart pounded in his ears as they waited to see if anyone would come running, but the only sound was the water lapping against the hull. The deck was so dark Leo had to hold his hands out in front of him to make sure he didn’t walk into anything. Matthias hadn’t said where exactly this gift would be found.

Agnes bumped into him with a muffled “Oof,” and Leo shushed her just as a lantern appeared from the steps to the hold.

“Matthias?” a voice called softly. The lantern was raised and it took all of Leo’s self-control not to shout.

It was Eneas.

He caught sight of them and his face broke into a wide smile. “Children!” he whispered joyfully. “Come, quick.”

They hurried toward him and down into the hold, following the light of the lantern. Eneas led them to a small cabin with a hammock hanging in one corner and a low table with three stools around it. He placed the lantern on the table and Agnes flung her arms around him. Leo felt a pinch of shame. He’d never been particularly nice to Eneas, something he regretted now.

“What are you doing here?” Agnes asked as he released her.

“Once I arrived in Ithilia and heard what your grandmother had done, I knew I had to come find you. Both of you,” he said, nodding toward Leo. “I went straight to Matthias. Caught him just in time. He’d already locked up your father and Ezra. I believe we got out of Ithilia just before the Kaolin navy arrived.” He shook his head. “What a foolish war. It would have been better if Braxos had never been found.”

“Ambrosine locked Father away in something called the wailing caves,” Agnes said. “Will they hurt him?”

Eneas touched her cheek. “He does not deserve you. No, the caves will not hurt him. Their walls shriek. He will have an unpleasant, sleepless night, that’s all.”

“We met Phebe in Arbaz,” Agnes said. “She lent us her ship so we could follow Leo and Sera here.”

Eneas smiled again. “I am glad she got to meet you. She has heard much about you over the years.”

“She showed us that letter you wrote,” Leo said. “About a deal made and broken.”

“And Ambrosine told me she wants to found her own country, of just the northern islands,” Agnes said. “And declare herself queen and me princess.” Her nose wrinkled. Even after several days to get used to it, Leo still found the idea strange and ridiculous.