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“That’s quite vague, but I suppose I’ll find out when we meet.” With that, she bowed and also disappeared through the open doors of the throne room.
The next face through the door was very familiar, and Desfan couldn’t hide his grin. “Avao!”
Karim’s grandfather beamed as he stepped forward, breaking all sorts of traditions as he grabbed both Desfan and Karim in his long arms and crushed them to him. The man had grown older, but seemed as strong as ever. “Boys, it’s been too long.”
Karim grunted as he clapped his grandfather’s back. “You’re the one who chose to sail to all the southern islands.”
“Yes, well, I wasn’t exactly getting any younger.” He tugged back, his eyes skimming both of them. “Fates, you’ve both grown even taller!”
That was doubtful, but Desfan still smiled as he clasped the man’s shoulder.
Avao Tarn had been a fixture in Desfan’s life from his first breath. The man had served as Farah Cassian’s bodyguard, and he’d been like a grandfather to Desfan and his sisters. Through a twist of the fates, Avao hadn’t been aboard the ship that had carried Desfan’s mother on her final journey—it was the only reason he was still alive. And thank the fates he was. If he’d died that day, he never would have known his own grandson existed. He hadn’t met Karim until the twelve-year-old boy had shown up on his doorstep, needing a home.
If Avao hadn’t been alive to take Karim in, then Desfan never would have met his best friend. He couldn’t even imagine what his life would be like without Karim.
Desfan grinned at Avao. “I didn’t know if you’d receive the invitation. We weren’t sure where to send it.”
Avao’s old eyes got a bit of a twinkle. “Ah, well, the fates knew I couldn’t miss this. And, luckily, I was able to find passage on a ship with an excellent captain.”
The next man in line stepped through the door and Desfan’s lungs froze. Emotion lodged in his throat. “Captain Seveh.”
The captain of thePhoenixsmiled. “Hello, Desfan.”
Seveh was as tall and thin as Desfan remembered, although he had several more gray hairs at his temples. His beard was just as short and neatly trimmed, also touched with silver. He wore his official uniform, though it was a little sea-worn.
Desfan didn’t care. This man had helped pull him from the darkest part of his life. He owed Seveh for so much. Not caring who might be watching or whispering, Desfan stepped forward and embraced him, the knot in his throat growing hot.
Seveh held him tightly. His voice was a little rough as he said, “I’m sorry about your father. He was an incredible serjan—a good man.”
“He was,” Desfan said. Saernon Cassian had not always been a perfect father to Desfan, but he had done the best he could. In the end, that was all anyonecoulddo. And if Saernon hadn’t sent Desfan to sea with Seveh and Karim . . . Well, Desfan didn’t want to think about what sort of man he’d be today.
When Seveh drew back, there was a sheen of moisture in his eyes. “Fates, you’ve grown into your own. I’m so proud of you, Desfan.”
The simple words meant far more than Seveh could ever know. Desfan’s chest expanded. “When I sent your invitation, I didn’t think you’d be able to make it.”
“Yes, well, we were on a fairly tight schedule to make it work, but we refused to miss it.”
“We?” Desfan looked past Seveh and saw a good portion of his old crew peeking through the door, all of them dressed in their best.
Jershan, the first mate, scratched at his missing ear as he smiled. “I’ll forgive you for not sending fancy invitations toallof us.”
“I won’t,” Siv, the rigging master griped.
Desfan laughed. He greeted each man from thePhoenix, and he didn’t even wince when Siv pounded his back with his massive hand. Their reunion in the hall was exuberant, and Desfan didn’t care if people in the throne room heard the commotion.
“Little grumpy you, becoming the serjan,” Jershan chuckled. “What a thought!”
Jayiv—the ship’s physician—grinned. “Ah, the stories we could tell about you.”
“At least wait until the feast,” Desfan begged. “There will be plenty of wine, so maybe people will forget everything you say.”
Jershan’s eyes widened. “We’re invited to the feast?”
“Of course!” Desfan lightly punched his arm. “Just don’t sing any vulgar sea shanties in front of the nobles.”
“There’s no other kind of sea shanty,” Siv huffed.
Captain Seveh cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should let Desfan get his crown, now.”
