Grastenport was not much of a city as it was a moss riddled castle of dark grey stone that jutted from the edge of the cliff overlooking the northern sea. The smell of salt from the sea wafted around the castle, while the cries of dozens of gulls paired with the lapping of waves like a sad symphony. To the far end of the shoreline was crooked black rock where the surf crashed like sticks on a cowhide drum. From the castle a wide road led south toward the Headlands, the only real land path to and from Baron Visant’s ancestral home.

With the Eastern Ridge to its back, the castle was easily defended as any attackers would either have to come from the south through the wide road, or try an assault by sea. Grastenport’s piers were built to host the greatest fleet in the world, so it might as well have served as another mountain range. There were rumors of over two hundred pirate ships at Visant’s disposal, nearly twice as many as Kienne’s navy.

When Perenenda arrived at Grastenport, she found only a couple of abandoned ships anchored offshore, and a castle devoid of soldiers. The gulls circled and cried, as if lamenting on the nearly empty castle. The overcast skies blended with the grey of the sea, and to Perenenda the sea almost smelled cold. They were far away from the warm waters back home.

There were some dead strewn about but not nearly as many as she expected, as she counted perhaps only a dozen. Kamfongil had kept his word and detained around a forty rebels, among them of them groundskeepers, cooks, and carpenters.

Perenenda stood at the stone courtyard outside the castle, where she was met by her captains. Beside them on an ornate chair with silver and gold trim sat a brown bearded man with short curling hair climbing out from the sides of a balding head. He wore a gold cloak adorned with various medals pinned to his collar.

"Baron Visant relinquishes control of Grastenport, my lady," Sornam said.

"I heard you had an army, sir, several thousand strong," she said. “And also a mighty fleet. Where are your men? Where are your ships?”

“A clever trick from a clever girl,” Visant said. “An incursion on my backside. I’ve kept that fool Larthkyrk at bay with such little effort. A storm has formed, and through the violence of lightning and thunder shall we break the shackles of this unjust world.”

“Why are you without defenses, Lord Visant?” Norbu asked. “Surely your army did not abandon you to be guarded by cooks and cobblers.”

Visant laughed. “I was born here, and I shall die here. I was not bred to be king. Do as you will, it is the young that shall inherit the earth.”

“We have claimed your castle,” Kamfongil said, tapping a dagger against one of the Baron’s medals. “You don’t know what we may do to you yet. Aren’t you afraid?”

“I am afraid,” the Baron said, “that if you’re looking to stop the storm, you’re too late.”

"He still has some men holed up in the Withings, while others have either sailed north to the Scales or down along the eastern shores," Sornam said to Perenenda. “They would not have moved south by road for risking confronting Earl Alegandr of the Headlands. I recommend we set out soon and aid the Houses. His fleet is gone. It must have carried the full strength of Grastenport with it.”

“This was too easy,” she said, stepping away a couple paces. “Far too easy.”

“There is no fight here, as we’ve missed it,” Sornam said, walking with her. “Visant’s rebellion has moved, but it doesn’t mean we can’t follow. But Visant himself…you have him now. He is the eye of this storm, no matter where it is.”

“Then why doesn’t it feel like it?” she asked, eying the Baron sideways. “He’s more of a blind eye, it feels.”

“As always I await for your instructions,” he said. “You’ve heard my recommendations, my lady.”

She spun and took large strides back to where her captains were keeping the Baron. “My captains and I will sail for the Scales. Commander Rollo, I yield Grastenport to you. The Promisemen will remain here, and you may move against the remaining rebels in Sundersport when you are ready."

"With the southern roads now cleared I will send some riders to contact Earl Alegandr and hand the castle to him," Rollo said. "We have long tried to liberate the north but it was you, my lady, who has brought Visant to the king’s justice.”

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“No, it was everyone,” she said. “Earls Larthkyrk and Caspyr share this glory.”

“Indeed,” Rollo continued, turning to Sornam and Norbu. “I have known of the reputation of the Knights of the Northern Houses but I have never witnessed the skill of one, let alone two. It has been an honor to be allies. Kienne thanks you and owes you gratitude."

Sornam shook Rollo’s hand. “Make yourself safe to Sundersport. The Withings will be yours to take.”

“An approach from the North robs the Withings of its defenses,” Rollo said. “And safe journey to you.”

Rollo bowed to the princess and went to instruct his men on securing the rest of Grastenport. He lifted the Baron and escorted him away.

“Has anyone here been on a ship?” Perenenda asked.

Dao shook her head.

Sornam and Norbu exchanged glances. “Been on a ship yes, but command and steer one, no,” Sornam said. “The Grastenport soldiers are certain to know how to navigate the seas. If you were to promise freedom for a crew—”

The Butcher laughed.

“You don’t like that idea?” Sornam asked.

“We had our blades at their throats,” Kamfongil said. “Now you will entrust your lives to their hands? I think not.”

“And I suppose you know of someone who can command a ship?” Sornam asked.

“In fact I do,” he replied. “I’ll command one of the ships. I’ve sailed the southern seas with my brother, from territory to territory, as far as Normun, the Soot’s city by the sea.”

“You’ve sailed to Normun?” Norbu asked. “What would bring a Neredunian sellsword to Normun?”

“Fulfilling a contract will at times take you to the ends of the earth,” Kamfongil said. “I mean, look at where we are now.”

“Very well, the ship is yours,” Perenenda said. “How many can fit on these ships?”

“Those ships are small civilian cogs,” Kamfongil said. “I’d not risk more than thirty for each ship.”

“Alas there are two ships,” she said. “It is a shame we could not split you for both ships.”

Timlan stepped forward. “I can take the other ship.”

“Stop your nonsense,” Sornam said.

“You’ve been quiet this whole time, young Timlan,”Perenenda said. “What do you know of commanding a ship?”

“Not sure about commanding, but I’ve learned how it works and how to steer,” Timlan said. “When we first left the Scales, we took over the Baron’s son’s ship and sailed it down the eastern shores, all the way to Lanfrydhall. There weren’t many crew to operate that ship so I learned as much as I could. Twelve days we were on that ship. They even let me steer.”

“And you think you can steer us to the islands?” she asked.

“If Kamfongil leads the way, I can follow, my lady,” he said.

“Captain Timlan of Angshar,” chuckled Sornam. He turned to Norbu. “You know I don’t think any Peer has ever learned to sail.”

“Speak for yourself,” Norbu harrumphed as he tugged on his coat and started walking to the ships. “I’m old enough to know how to sail, I just want give the boy a chance.”

After Norbu left, Timlan leaned toward Sornam and cupped his mouth to hide his words. “Should I let him sail the ship?”

Sornam shook his head and winked. “He doesn’t know how to sail a ship. He likes theater.”

They all gathered and prepared to head toward the docks.

Perenenda held her hand out. “Captain Dao, I need you to stay. Commander Rollo will need some help, at least for now. And of all my captains, you have the most experience fortifying a garrison. You’ve done this for my uncle Helembasil, yes?”

“I should be by your side, your Grace, in your service,” Dao protested. “Have I disappointed you?”

Perenenda put her palm out. “Give me your hand.”

Dao laid her thick hand, with thick knuckles and calloused fingers, on top of the princess’ soft palm. Her slender and smooth fingers wrapped around the hard, muscular fingers.

“You are the daughter of my uncle. My blood traces through the ancient Tree Lords back to you. If one day this world hands me a fate most flagrant, and the arrows of failure pierces my youthful heart, there would be few things better than to have you by my side, in my service. But I need you here, because I trust you like a cousin.”

Dao bowed to hide the water welling in her eyes.

“Captains!” Perenenda called as she turned toward the others. “The two ships will not hold us all. Captain Kamfongil, half of your Butchers will go with you, and the other half shall join me on Timlan’s ship. The Peers shall be with me also. The rest are under Captain Dao’s command until we return.”

They took several trips of rowboats to board the two ships. "I haven't seen home in years," Sornam said as he stood beside Perenenda on the deck. “I am eager to see my kin. Visant's men would be foolish to challenge the full might of the Peers.”

Timlan stood at the ship wheel and called out orders to unfurl the sails, but his voice didn’t carry. Norbu stood beside him and bellowed out the command. The sails unfurled, revealing the sigil of Grastenport: a lightning bolt against a grey castle. Kamfongil’s sail was already unfurled and his ship was moving. There was a favorable diagonal wind that pushed them across the strait.

“Which island are we headed to?” Perenenda asked, looking at the three islands in the distance.

“The middle island with the mountain,” Sornam said. “The boy is doing well. He’s surprised me.”

“He hasn’t surprised me at all,” she said, smiling at Timlan. “Little Tim has taken care of us this entire journey.

The wind continued to be favorable. As they got closer, Perenenda stood with her hand on the foremast. “What’s that?”

Sornam leaned on the bow and squinted at the main island. There were streams of black smoke. He gasped and turned to Norbu.

“The House is burning," Norbu said.