Page 134 of Sword & Sacrifice

Braden laughed and got to his feet. “We’ll be here for you, Silas, whenever you’re ready to return.”

Silas also stood up, then impulsively hugged his father. It’d been over a decade since they’d embraced like this, and he hadn’t realized until then how much he missed it.

After a brief hesitation, Braden tentatively wrapped his arms around Silas. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you before,” he whispered. “But I’m here for you now.”

As soon as they separated, Silas turned his attention back to the ship and realized they were preparing to depart. He hadn’t packed a bag, hadn’t even told his council he was leaving, but seeing his quickest transport to Archer leave without him, he suddenly panicked and ran after them. “Wait!” he shouted, running down the dock.

Emmaline was the first to notice him. She leaned over the railing and waved at him. “Silas!” When he was close enough, she said, “We’ve already said goodbye!” Though she beamed at him, as if pleased he came to say it again.

Panting, he shook his head. “I’m coming with you.”

“Oh, are you now?” Griselda, asked, leaning on the railing. “Finally running away from your problems?” Before he could protest, she said, “Good for you. This place is a shitshow.”

Echo also appeared at the railing and said, “You know, typically stowaways are on the ship before we leave the docks.” Then they grabbed the back of Koen’s jacket and held him aloft like holding a kitten by the scruff of its neck. “Like this one.”

“I’m not a stowaway,” Koen complained. “I’m saying goodbye to Em.”

“Well, you’ve said it, now leave.” Echo pushed him forward.

Koen stumbled over the ramp and turned a fierce glare on the sailor. Then he straightened his jacket collar and looked back at Silas. “What do you mean you’re leaving?”

“I need to go with them to Arnsveld,” Silas explained, aiming for stoic even as his heart raced in excitement. “For a very important diplomatic mission.”

“Oh, all right then. Does that mean I’m in charge until you return?” Koen perked up, throwing back his shoulders and tilting his chin up. He snuck a look at Em, making sure she witnessed his elevating importance.

Silas couldn’t help ruffling his hair, diminishing the image. “Something like that.”

Captain Moira finally appeared, hands on her hips. “I don’t take passengers for free, even royal ones.”

Silas blinked at her, suddenly realizing he didn’t even have a coin pouch on him. Before he could ask ‘do you accept credit?’ a voice called out to him.

Mirinda had never looked so undignified as she ran down the dock, her skirt clutched in her hands. “Your Majesty!” she cried. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to Arnsveld,” Silas announced, raising his chin defiantly, unintentionally mimicking Koen. “To finalize the alliance, whether that be through trade or marriage.”

Mirinda gaped at him for a moment. “You can’t simply leave on a whim! We’ve barely recovered from last night’s battle! Then there are the palace renovations, the vacant council positions. Cal has only just returned! There’s simply too much to do!”

“And you can work all of that out with Braden, my appointed Regent, and Koen.” He placed his hand on Koen’s shoulder. “My heir.”

Mirinda looked between Silas and Koen, still in clear shock. “You can’t simply declare these things. There are ceremonies and—and paperwork!”

“We’ve got paper, if that’s all you’re worried about,” Echo piped up. They disappeared for a moment, then came back with a sheaf of paper, a quill, and ink.

While they were gone, Braden had sauntered down the docks to join the commotion.

Silas accepted the writing supplies and wrote out a quick, messy declaration, using the thin wooden rail as a writing desk. With the boat swaying steadily beneath them, his handwriting turned out worse than Archer’s. Then he dipped his signet ring in the ink and pressed his symbol into the paper.

Braden took the document and added his own signature.

“Do I get to sign it?” Koen asked excitedly.

He’ll soon tire of signing things, Silas thought, amused, but handed over the quill.

Mirinda watched everything happen in wide-eyed shock. When Koen passed the quill to her, she was almost in a daze as she signed the whole thing as a witness.

“There,” Silas said. “It’s official. I’ll see you in … when I see you,” he trailed off, not sure how long he would be away.

“Here,” Braden said, passing Silas a coin purse. “It’s not much, but it should pay your way with the captain. I’ll send some supplies to you with my first letter.”