The sailors on deck gave Kiana strange looks, but she didn't have time for them. She strode straight for the edge of the ship before her resolve could falter, reached back, and unclasped the necklace. It was almost the size of her palm and on closer inspection the back was etched with Azir writing. Enchanted items were rare and part of her training told her this gold disc on a chain was worth a fortune.

She reached back and threw it. The disc sparkled in the starlight before disappearing into the waves. “Come and find me,” Kiana thought and turned to return to the hold. After all, it wasn't her they needed to find.

The Arch Mage started and held up a hand, interrupting Shasta who'd been discussing tactics for fighting the Armada.

"It can't be," he muttered and with a wave the map on the table vanished.

"What is it, sir?" Matius asked as the Arch Mage pulled water from the air and tossed it into the divot in the table and chanted a quick spell.

"The assassin. Whatever was protecting her is gone." The water began to swirl and the rest of the room's occupants—Jayln, Fenrin, Altair, and Fernilda—looked at each other.

Matius leaned forward. "The assassin? The Duskar who killed the queen?" They had gotten a description from those who had met the faux dressmaker. Any lesser mage would have been unable to use the loose descriptors to scry with, but the Arch Mage was a master diviner and he'd spent days weaving spells to track her down.

The Arch Mage pushed passed Altair to get closer to the water which had grown dark. A Duskar girl, young, with wide eyes appeared illuminated by lantern light.

"Where is she?" Matius asked quickly and the Arch Mage muttered some more spells. The air practically crackled with magic.

"On a ship. West coast of Valhym."

"A ship will be tricky but we can manage. I'll get some senior mages together and prepare a portal." Matius turned to leave.

"No," the Arch Mage said sharply, "it could very well be a trap. The queen knows we are short handed."

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The image grew clearer. The girl was in a cargo hold of some kind. There was a blur of motion and a new figure appeared, grabbing the girl's arm and holding it.

Fenrin's chair slammed to the floor. "Fiona!"

Matius turned back around quickly, staring into the pool, "Makers, it's really her. What is she doing on a ship with an assassin?"

The Arch Mage's milky eyes flashed blue and words drifted from the pool.

"Hold that lantern for me, Kiana. I think I found something for us to eat. Father, will you be alright alone?"

The girls stepped closer to a figure and now Matius sputtered, "King Eirik?"

Despite looking a bit bedraggled and his eyes covered, the crowned man was unmistakable. Matius waved a hand, the air in the room stirring, "Sir, let me talk to the king, I can find out if this is a trap."

"Quickly," the Arch Mage consented before barking at Jayln, "you, go find Yu'jana. Tell her to prepare a circle."

Jayln dashed out of the room and Matius closed his eyes, the wind picking up and making stray papers fly off the table.

Fenrin watched, unable to tear his eyes off his niece. She was alive. She was right there.

"Damn it, she's moving away," Matius cursed. "I'm not sure I got through."

"Wait, come back a moment." The king's voice came from the pool and the two girls turned around stepping back.

"What is it, Father?" Fiona asked with concern.

"Just wait a moment." The king's voice was strained.

Matius leaned in closer, practically touching the pool with his nose. "Your Highness, are you safe? Are you with the queen? We can come to you if you can confirm this is no trap."

The Arch Mage grit his teeth, "Can you trust his word?"

"I believe so," Matius answered quickly.

The king stood up, his daughter practically knocked back by the movement, and said with a sob, "Yes, we are alone. Come quickly! Gods, we actually did it."

Fiona looked at her father, shouting into the darkness with shock and concern, the girl at her side stiffening and grew pale. Fenrin'd seen enough, he grabbed Matius' arm.

"Take me to her," he growled.

Matius shouted into the pool, "Stay where you are, we are coming to get you."

Ice crept from the edge of the pool and suddenly the Duskar girl grasped her head as the Arch Mage's voice boomed, "You will stay where you are. You will not escape me again."

Fenrin tore his eyes from Fiona who was turning between the other two with fright.

"I'm coming," he whispered and then half-dragged Matius out of the room to find wherever the portal to his niece would be.