Inside was a large room stuffed with all manner of items, more than Zandrue could easily catalogue with a single look. They appeared organised in categories of roughly similar characteristics—clothing, artwork, herbs and spices, weapons and armour, and more—but within each category, there was no immediately discernible organisation. There wasn’t time to take it all in, though, as Ulises was already talking as Zandrue and Laänne reached him and Tianna.

“Do you have an idea of what you’re looking for?” he asked.

“Not entirely,” Tianna said. “However, we need things we can take with us to the the New Year’s Eve ball, so something we can wear or easily carry. Fans, jewellery, chaperons.”

“We have just received a shipment of very beautiful and very expensive Singean prayer beads,” Ulises said. “They would make fine necklaces.”

“Personally, I’m interested in hairpins,” Laänne said.

Ulises bowed. “Of course.” He motioned to one of the staff. “Show Lady Friaz to our collection of hair accessories.”

The young staff member bowed and motioned to Laänne. “This way, my Lady.”

Tianna touched Laänne’s arm. “Don’t go far. We need to stay in sight, remember?”

Laänne looked to Ulises. “It’s not far, surely? I’ll still be in sight.”

Ulises waved vaguely. “Oh, it’s just over there. You won’t be far.”

Laänne patted Tianna’s shoulder. “See? It’ll be fine. Besides, I’ll have guards.” She smiled and followed the staff member. Two of the guards followed them. They were all soon out of sight, hidden by the numerous stacks of sundry items.

Tianna rose up on her toes, straining to see. “See? She’s already out of sight.”

“You can go with her if you wish,” Ulises said.

Tianna shook her head. “No, it’s okay. You’re sticking with me, right, Zandrue?”

“You bet,” Zandrue said.

“And what are you two ladies interested in?” Ulises asked.

Zandrue shrugged. “Whatever she wants.”

“I suppose we can start with those Singean prayer beads you mentioned,” Tianna said.

Ulises bowed. “I will show you them myself. This way. It is near where the other Lady Friaz has gone. You should have no trouble seeing her from there.” He strode off.

Tianna took Zandrue’s hand and squeezed it as they followed.

“You okay?” Zandrue asked.

Tianna just nodded.

They turned a corner and Tianna gasped. In front of them was a large multicoloured mask shaped like a monstrous head with a mouth full of pointed teeth. Made of silk, the mask was propped up on a pole and a long tail, also propped up by poles, stretched out behind the head for at least a dozen feet.

“What is that supposed to be?” Tianna asked.

“Dragon dance costume,” Zandrue said. “Singean, I think.”

“Chayan,” Ulises corrected.

Zandrue shrugged. “Singea, Chay, they’re next door to each other. I was close.”

Past the dragon costume, they reached an area of glass cases displaying various jewellery pieces, from rings to bracelets, necklaces, and more. They were made from more than just precious metals, stones, and gems. There were also examples of wooden items, as well as some that appeared made from leaves and pressed flowers.

Farther away, Laänne was visible, talking to one of the staff.

Tianna pointed to a feathered necklace. “That’s pretty, though looks kind of cheap.”

“Quetzal feathers,” Ulises said with a smile. “Anything but cheap, Tianna. Here we are.” He motioned to a nearby staff member, who brought forward a tray containing several beaded necklaces.

Tianna’s eyes widened and she reached for one which appeared made of sapphires. “May I?”

“By all means,” Ulises said.

Tianna lifted the necklace and faced Zandrue, holding it to her chest. “What do you think?”

Zandrue whistled. “I think, can you afford it?”

Tianna giggled. “I admit, it might be a bit much even for my father. However, you are aware Annai’s paying for today, right?”

Zandrue grinned. “I was hoping that was the case, but I didn’t want to make any assumptions.”

Tianna smiled. She spun back round and placed the necklace back on the tray. She reached for another one. “We would like to see many such items. I suspect it is going to be a difficult choice.”

Ulises bowed. “I will leave you in the hands of my capable staff. However, if you need me, I will not be far.” He bowed once more and strode off in the direction of Laänne.

The staff brought them all kinds of expensive necklaces to look at. Not just the Singean prayer beads, but the Ninifin feathered necklace, a “volcanic” necklace made of mostly obsidian from Ostanith, Ebeletin pearls, and more.

“I haven’t had a chance to thank you,” Tianna said while they were trying the jewellery on.

“Thank you for what?”

“Coming to my aid with Quilla the other day.”

“I thought that was more you coming my aid.”

Tianna blushed and turned her head away slightly. “I suppose it was a bit of us both coming to each other’s aid.”

“I suppose it was,” Zandrue said.

Tianna held up the latest necklace, a string of small wooden figurines or people and animals. Zandrue shook her head, and Tianna replaced it on the tray with a giggle.

“I really can’t stand that woman,” Tianna said, “but I know she was a friend of yours. I’m sorry things have gone the way they have.”

Zandrue sighed. “Yeah, me too, a little. But that’s the way things go, right?” She hoped Quilla was all right. They had made a good show that night of pretending to chase the Darkers that were meant to distract them from Quilla and Dyle, so the two of them had “escaped” to wherever they were going. But that was a large part of the problem: there was no way of knowing where they had gone and what had happened since. That was two nights ago. Only one full day had passed, but that was still more than enough time for all kinds of horrible things to happen, and there was no way of knowing when Quilla would be able to get some sort of message out, if she was ever able to.

Tianna took Zandrue’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Hey, don’t worry. You’ve got new friends now, and we’re really happy to have you.” She turned her head away again, blushing slightly. “Even if I wasn’t so welcoming at first.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Zandrue said. “You were just protecting Annai.”

Tianna gazed up into Zandrue’s eyes. “I was, yes, but I was also protecting myself. I thought you were competition. But now I know you’re not. You’re something else.”

“Oh? What sort of something else?”

Tianna grinned, but also blushed again. Then her eyes widened, and she let go of Zandrue’s hand. “I have a great idea! Why don’t we get matching items? I think I saw the perfect things just a little while ago.” She turned back to the staff member helping them.

Several minutes later, they had arranged for a pair of matching sets, each containing a sapphire necklace—not quite as extravagant as the Singean prayer beads, but arguably more attractive—and four bracelets also adorned with sapphires.

“Sapphire seems to be the theme today,” Laänne said, coming back over to them. She indicated the new hairpins she was wearing. Their handles were shaped like the Bear of Arnor with small sapphires for the eyes. While clearly expensive, they were far less extravagant than what Tianna had chosen for her and Zandrue.

Tianna hugged Zandrue. “We’re going to match! I’m even going to make certain even our gowns match as close as possible. Be right back.” She let go of Zandrue and went over to a waiting Ulises to take care of payment. Zandrue guessed that Annai must have supplied her with Annai’s royal seal.

“Matching huh?” Laänne said.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“It was Tianna’s idea,” Zandrue said.

“I’m sure it was. Better watch out. Tianna might have found a new object of her affections.”

Zandrue sighed. “I was starting to wonder about that.”

Laänne tilted her head and looked from Zandrue to Tianna, then back. “You know, I think you might make a cute couple.”

Zandrue groaned. “I do have Rudiger, you know! Everyone keeps forgetting that.”

Laänne laughed.

“What are you two laughing about?” Tianna asked, rejoining them. She was carrying a wooden case, presumably carrying their newly purchased jewellery.

“Oh, I was just teasing Zandrue,” Laänne said. “She was asking about Thilin.”

Tianna snorted. “I get it.” She held out the case to Laänne. “Would you hold this a moment, dear? I need to put my shawl back on.”

Laänne took the case and stumbled forward slightly before catching herself. “Woah, that’s rather heavy, isn’t it?”

Zandrue leaned in to assist. “Here, let me.” The case was heavier than it looked. It had to be the type of wood it was made from, though she didn’t know enough about wood types to identify it.

Tianna snickered. “You always were a weakling, Laänne.”

Laänne tutted. “I’m a harpsichordist. I’ve developed great dexterity with my fingers, but it doesn’t do much for upper body strength.”

Tianna finished with her shawl and took the case back. “You could have gone more expensive, Laänne dear. Your hairpins were a fraction of the cost of ours.”

Laänne shook her head. “I like these because I can wear them any time, not just to the ball.”

“Suit yourself,” Tianna said. “We should get back to Annai.”

The trip back to Annai and Thilin was quick and uneventful. People were quicker to move out of the way this time, so their guards didn’t need to do any shoving, thankfully. As she watched the people around them, Zandrue couldn’t help but think about the fact the cost of her new necklace and bracelets could probably support everyone in the market for a year or more. She wondered if she might be able to sell them at some point and redistribute that wealth a little.

A much larger crowd had gathered near where they had arrived, so their guards took them on a detour around the crowd. A small stage had been set up between the sleighs and two fancy chairs—not quite thrones, but pushing it—sat in the centre of the stage. Annai and Thilin stood behind the stage.

“You’re just in time,” Annai said as they approached. “I trust you found some delightful things?”

Tianna gave Zandrue a quick look. “I think you can say that.”

“I like the hairpins, Laänne,” Annai said. “They suit you very well.”

Laänne smiled and curtsied slightly. “Thank you.”

“And what of you two?” Annai asked.

Tianna hugged the case to her chest. “You’ll find out in due time. It’s a surprise.”

Annai smiled. “I do like surprises.”

Thilin put a hand on Annai’s shoulder. “You ready, sis?”

Annai straightened up and nodded. “I am.” She looked to Zandrue and the others. “Wish us luck.”

“You’ll do great!” Tianna said.

Flanked by guards, Annai and Thilin ascended to the stage while trumpeters played a fanfare. They walked to the chairs and sat down. The fanfare played a little longer while a herald held up his hands to call for silence from the crowd. As the crowd quietened, the fanfare came to an end.

“People of Arnor City!” the herald called. “Before you today are their Highnesses, Princess Annai and Prince Thilin.”

The crowd roared. Zandrue couldn’t quite tell if it was in praise or disdain. She got the impression it might be a mixture of both.

The herald waved for quiet once more. “They have a matter of great importance to announce to you all. Prince Thilin of Arnor!” The herald moved to the side.

Thilin stood up and approached the front of the stage, guards to either side of him watching intently. He raised a hand while the crowd quietened again. “People of Arnor City, you are all, I am sure, aware that a little over six weeks ago, our dearest sister Sinitïa went missing. We believe she was kidnapped by an Eloorin man, a known descendant of the Dragon himself, Meleng Drago, along with his Isyar co-conspirator, Jorvanultumn.”

Thilin paused while murmurs spread through the crowd. Zandrue was pretty certain Meleng’s family lineage had not been publicly mentioned before, and it was clear Thilin knew that as he was giving the crowd time to process it. Damn! She should have thought of this. Of course they would use his family to turn public opinion away from him. And just like the Dragon had had an Isyar companion—consort so the stories went—they were using Jorvan for that role.

“Unfortunately, our sister is still missing, and it has their Majesties, the King and Queen, as well as myself, my sister Annai, and all our other brothers and sister in a constant state of sorrow and despair. However, we hold out hope our dearest sister is still alive. Six weeks ago, my father, the King, announced a reward of a gold crown for any information leading to Sinitïa’s location and recovery. He has now authorised me and my sister to increase that reward.”

A courtier carrying a large, wide bowl ascended the stage and walked over to Annai. The courtier curtsied low and held out the bowl. Annai rose and took the bowl, then walked slowly over to Thilin. She held up the bowl.

“This bowl is filled with copper pennies,” Thilin said. “As many as we could fit. At least five hundred, I would guess.”

Annai flipped the bowl, scattering its contents into the crowd nearest the stage.

For a moment, there was pandemonium as people dived to catch, grab, or pick up as many coins as they could. People pushed and barrelled over one another for a chance to get a coin.

Another fanfare played and Thilin held up his hand to motion for calm and silence again. It took longer this time, but eventually the crowd calmed.

Thilin lowered his hand. “There will be another of these bowls for anyone who brings us information that leads to finding our sister. Two such bowls if the information leads to bringing our sister home alive. Remember, that’s at least three hundred pennies per bowl, and not spread amongst a crowd, but all to the person who brings the information. That’s worth at least five crowns!”

The crowd cheered. After they were finally quietened again, Thilin continued, “We hope you will talk to everyone you know, and spread the word beyond Arnor City. The Dragon’s descendant could have taken her anywhere, so we need everyone everywhere looking for her. I beg you all to help us find this villain and bring him to justice!”

The crowd roared once more. Thilin raised his hand to speak again, but Annai beat him to it. “That is not all!”

Thilin turned to her, a startled look on his face.

Tianna hugged Zandrue’s arm. “This was my idea. Annai loved it!”

A courtier carrying another bowl ascended the stage, approached Annai, and bowed, holding the bowl out in front of him.

Annai took the bowl. “The reward my brother has just told you of comes from my father and mother, and it is very generous. However, my love for my sister has prompted me to add to it from my own personal funds. I am matching my parents’ reward with an additional bowl of pennies—two bowls if the information leads to my sister coming home alive!” She shook the coins over the crowd.

A stampede erupted as people farther back in the crowd rushed the stage, knocking over the people in front of them. Fights broke out. People collided with the stage’s supports, causing it to shake.

“Get their Highnesses off of there!” a guard yelled.

Tianna’s face had gone pale and she shook. “Oh no, but that was...oh gods, what have I done?”

The guards escorted Annai, Thilin, the courtiers, and trumpeters off the stage before it collapsed. Guards near Zandrue escorted her, Tianna, and Laänne back to the sleigh they had come in. “We need to get everyone out of here now,” the guard commander said.

Zandrue was the last into the sleigh, a guard practically shoving her into her seat. The driver yelled at the horses, and they started moving. Luckily, the sleigh had already been turned around at some point between arriving and now.

Tianna, wailing, huddled against Zandrue.

Zandrue put her arm around her and patted her shoulder. With her other hand, she spread out a heavy blanket over both of them.

“This is my fault, isn’t it?” Tianna sobbed. “It was my idea.”

“It’s all right,” Zandrue said. “Everything’s fine. Annai and Thilin got out.” Tossing the coins into the crowd once was a calculated risk; doing it a second time was even more so.

“Annai’s going to kill me.”

“Calm down, Tianna,” Laänne said. “It was Annai’s mistake for not telling Thilin or the guards.”

“She’s right,” Zandrue said. “If Thilin and the guards had known, they could have planned for it. So you can’t blame yourself.”

Tianna sobbed something unintelligible into Zandrue’s chest and hugged her closer. She sobbed there for the entire trip back to the Palace.