The Princess's Revenge Chapter 152

Valencia’s POV

Kai spoke up. "How will we get past them?"

"We'll pose as merchants," Logan said. "Traveling to the coast to buy goods. It's a common enough story."

"Will they believe us?" I asked.

"As long as we don't give them reason to be suspicious, yes."

We ate a cold dinner and took turns keeping watch through the night. When my watch came, I sat by the dying fire and stared into the darkness.

Elton was consolidating power in King's Fang. Soren was preparing to attack. Aldermere was building up forces on our border.

And we were riding into enemy territory to steal a magic ring from an island.

It seemed insane when I thought about it like that.

But the alternative was worse. Without the ring, I couldn't control the dragon. Without control, I was as much a danger to my own people as to our enemies.

The night passed slowly. Finally, dawn came and we broke camp.

By mid-afternoon, we reached a checkpoint. A wooden barrier blocked the road. Four guards in Emerald Grove Pack colors stood watch.

"Papers," one of them said as we approached.

Logan pulled out a folded document. I had no idea where he'd gotten it, but it looked official.

The guard examined it. "Merchants from Cliffwatch Pack? What business do you have in Emerald Grove territory?"

"We're traveling to the coast," Logan said. His voice was calm and polite. "Planning to purchase silk and spices to sell back home."

"Bit dangerous to be traveling right now, isn't it?" the guard said. "With the civil war and all."

"We're aware of the risks. But business doesn't stop for politics."

The guard studied us for a moment longer. His eyes lingered on Kai.

"What about the boy?"

"My nephew," Logan said smoothly. "Learning the trade."

The guard grunted and handed back the papers. "Alright. You can pass. But be careful. There are rogues on the roads. And we're searching for a dangerous criminal."

"Oh?" Logan's tone was mildly curious. "What kind of criminal?"

"A traitor named Dorian. Stole a fortune in gold and fled. There's a massive reward for his capture."

My heart jumped at the name, but I kept my expression neutral.

"We'll keep our eyes open," Logan said. "Thank you for the warning."

The guards lifted the barrier and we rode through.

Once we were out of earshot, I leaned closer to Logan. "Dorian is still on the run?"

"Apparently. And Elton is desperate to find him."

We continued riding. The landscape changed as we entered Emerald Grove territory proper. The forests gave way to cultivated fields. Villages appeared more frequently. We saw more people on the roads.

But there was a tension in the air. Guards patrolled everywhere. People looked nervous and suspicious.

"This place is on edge," Kai observed.

"Elton has pulled so many warriors to King's Fang," Logan said. "The people here probably feel unprotected. Vulnerable."

By evening, we reached a larger town. This one had proper streets and buildings. An inn with a faded sign reading "The Crossing" stood near the town square.

We entered and approached the innkeeper, a large man with a graying beard.

"Three rooms," Logan said.

"Two rooms," the innkeeper replied. "That's all I have available. Too many travelers these days."

"Two rooms is fine," I said quickly.

The innkeeper took our payment and gave us keys. "Dinner is being served. Tavern is through that door."

We settled the horses first, then headed to the tavern. It was crowded and noisy. Merchants, travelers, and local workers filled the tables.

We found seats near the back and ordered food. As we waited, I listened to the conversations around us.

"Did you hear? Alpha Elton is offering a thousand gold pieces for information leading to Dorian's capture."

"A thousand? That's a fortune!"

"They say Dorian is trying to flee to Aldermere. That's why all the ships are being searched."

My ears perked up at that. Ships being searched. That could be a problem.

Our food arrived. Simple fare but filling. As we ate, Logan caught the innkeeper's attention.

"Excuse me," Logan said. "We're looking to book passage to the coast. Do you know of any ships heading out soon?"

The innkeeper laughed. "Ships? Good luck with that, friend. Alpha Elton has every vessel at the docks under watch. Nobody's sailing anywhere without his permission."

"Why is that?" Logan asked innocently.

"Looking for that traitor Dorian. Word is he might try to escape by sea. So Elton's men are checking every ship, every cargo, every passenger." The innkeeper leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Between you and me, it's all nonsense. Dorian is long gone. Probably halfway to the southern territories by now."

"So there's no way to get a ship?" I asked.

"Well, there's old Garrett. He's a ship captain with a vessel at the main port. But his ship is docked right now. Can't leave port without Elton's approval."

"Where can we find this Garrett?" Logan asked.

"He usually drinks at the tavern by the docks. Place called The Anchor. But I wouldn't get your hopes up. Garrett owes Alpha Elton a pile of gold in protection fees. His ship's basically been seized as collateral."

Logan nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you for the information."

The innkeeper moved away to serve other customers.

I looked at Logan. "This is going to be harder than we thought."

"Maybe. But there's usually a way around these things." Logan took a drink of his ale. "We'll go to the port tomorrow. Find this Garrett. See what we can work out."

"And if we can't work anything out?" Kai asked.

"Then we find another ship. Or another captain. There's always someone willing to take risks for the right price."

We finished our meal and headed upstairs. Kai went to his room. Logan and I entered ours.

It was larger than the previous night's room, with a proper bed and a window overlooking the street.

I walked to the window and looked out. The street below was quiet now. A few lanterns lit the darkness.

The next morning, we woke early and ate a quick breakfast. Then we headed toward the port.

The town was built on a hill that sloped down to the sea. As we walked, I caught glimpses of blue water between the buildings.

The smell of salt and fish grew stronger as we approached the docks.

Finally, we emerged onto a wide street that ran along the waterfront. Dozens of ships were moored at the docks. Their masts swayed gently in the breeze.

But something was wrong. Despite the number of ships, there was almost no activity. No sailors loading cargo. No merchants haggling over prices.

Instead, I saw guards. Lots of guards. They patrolled the docks in pairs, watching everything.

"The blockade is real," Logan said quietly.

We walked along the waterfront, trying to look like curious travelers. The tavern called The Anchor was easy to spot. It was a squat building right at the edge of the docks.

We entered. The interior was dark and smelled of old beer and tobacco smoke. A few men sat at tables, nursing drinks even though it was barely mid-morning.

Behind the bar stood a woman with iron-gray hair tied back in a bun. She looked up as we entered.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"Three ales," Logan said. "And some information if you have it."