Adalynn walked along the water, lost in thought. She was going home. Home. A storm of emotions swirled inside her, making it hard to separate them out. She was excited. Nervous. Scared. But still ready to go home. 

A small splash ahead of her drew her attention, and she smiled. Seth was standing right at the water’s edge, tossing stones into the waves. Every so often, one would skip across the surface a few times. 

She stopped beside him. “That one was pretty good,” she said as one rock skipped further than the others. 

He glanced at her. “Thanks.” He picked up another. “It’s all in the wrist.” 

She chuckled. “Is that so?”

He grinned, offering a flat stone to her. “Here, I’ll show you.”

She glanced behind her. It seemed everyone else was pretty preoccupied with the preparations for the journey ahead of them. Even though part of her was telling her not to, she took the rock. He held out his own stone. “You want to toss it so it’s parallel to the water, as best you can,” he said, miming a toss. “Right as you let go, flick your wrist a little.”

He demonstrated, and the rock skipped across the surface three times before sinking. “You try.”

She attempted to mimic his actions, but her throw was off and the stone sank.

“That’s alright,” Seth said as she groaned softly. “You’ll get it.”

They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the waves and the sunrise. The noise from the docks down the beach drifted over, but it didn’t break the peaceful atmosphere. 

“Calmer than last time we were here, huh?” Seth said with a grin, watching a gull dive into the water. 

She hummed in agreement. The trade fair had been quite the adventure. She reached up and fidgeted with her necklace charm. That day felt like a lifetime ago.

“How was the trip here?” he asked, glancing at her.

She smiled. “Nice. It was good to get some news from home and to catch up with Jasper,” She sighed, looking down at her feet, “I’m really glad he’s okay.”

“And everyone else back home?”

She looked up at him. “He said he doesn’t know for sure, but he thinks my family and closest advisors are still alive.”

He nodded. “That’s something at least.”

They moved over to a bench closer to the road and sat down. 

“What about you?” she said finally. “How’d it go with [name] in Summerbalt?”

“It wasn’t too hard to convince the court to help,” he answered with a grin. “They’ve got a force following a few days behind us- King Cedric’s scrambling whoever he can to help you. Princess Susanna was disappointed you couldn’t make it.”

Adalynn smiled at the thought of her writing friend. “How is she?”

Seth chuckled. “It’s not like we could have any one-one-one conversations, Adi.” He grinned at her. “She seemed happy. She’s engaged, you know, but you didn’t hear it from me. I think she wanted to tell you that in her next letter.”

Adi gasped. “That’s amazing! Do you know who?”

Seth shrugged, turning back to the sunrise. “The son of some noble from further west. I didn’t catch a name. She seemed excited though.”

She laughed. Of course her friend would be. This was great news! “I’m so happy for her. Marriage! That’s amazing.”

Seth smiled as he looked over at her. “Yeah.”

She felt herself blush a little and she looked down.

They lapsed into silence again as they watched the sunrise. She knew that very soon, she would need to step back into her role as Queen. Someone her men could follow. A leader with countless responsibilities. But for now, she wanted to enjoy her last bit of time where she could just be herself. 

Lately it seemed like Seth was the only one she could be herself around. It hadn’t always been like that, of course, but since Jasper and the others arrived, she’d been put back into a leadership role. She couldn’t afford to show vulnerability around them, but she’d gone through a lot with Seth. She was lucky to have his friendship.

She stiffened in surprise for a moment as she felt him take her hand. She took a breath and tried to force her suddenly-pounding heart to slow down as she shifted. She decided not to bother with her usual self-lecture as she laced her fingers with his. 

“Ready to spend another month at sea?” he asked finally.

“I’d rather not,” she said with a wry grin, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. “But I will if I have to, I suppose.”

He laughed. “Not like we have much of a choice.”

“True.” She glanced at him. “Are you going to be okay at sea for another month?”

He hesitated, then nodded. “I didn’t drown last time, so I’m hoping to build on that streak.”

She laughed. “Seems like a good goal. Plus, you can’t drown on me. I won’t allow it.”

He turned to her. “You won’t allow it?” he chuckled. “What are you going to do, order the water not to kill me?”

“Of course,” she said simply, trying and failing to keep a straight face. “I’m the Queen. I can do whatever I want.” 

He just rolled his eyes and laughed. “Okay, Your Majesty.”

She smacked his arm. 

The sun’s rays lit the water brightly, and she smiled. It would be a nice day to start the long voyage to Acara. She tightened her grip on Seth’s hand. “Thank you.”

He glanced at her. “For what?”

She turned to face him, trying to meet his eyes even as her nervousness persisted. “Everything. I wouldn’t have even made it out of Carlow if it wasn’t for you, so… thank you.”

He blinked. “Of course.” 

Her heart rate stubbornly refused to slow as they sat in the quiet morning. She didn’t bother scolding herself this time.

Seth cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “Adalynn, I-”

“There you are!” someone called from behind them. They both turned to see Jasper approaching. Adalynn pulled her hand back, quickly standing up. Seth followed suit, although she thought she heard him mutter something under his breath.

“We’re almost ready to set off,” Jasper said, stopping a few paces away. “You’re needed on the docks, Your Majesty.”

Adalynn nodded, blinking at the title. She still hadn’t gotten used to being called that in a genuine manner. “Of course.”

They followed Jasper back towards the docks. Adalynn could see the Aster on the other side of the harbor. She glanced over at Seth; his expression was difficult to read. She should say something, but she didn’t know what. 

As they approached the ship Jasper and his men had arrived on, Adalynn could see a few figures waiting on the wharf. Sandra and Owen. 

Jasper stopped at the ramp to the main deck. “Say your goodbyes, Your Majesty,” he said. 

Her heart missed a beat. “What?” Seth tensed beside her. 

Jasper seemed to cringe. “That came out wrong. I just mean that your companions will be travelling on the Aster.”

“You’re splitting us up?” Seth asked incredulously. 

“I thought all four of us were going on the Aster,” Owen muttered to Sandra.

Adalynn turned to Jasper. “What gave you that idea? Because it’s not happening.”

“If you’re still being followed, whoever it is will know by now that you’ve been travelling with Seth and Sandra,” he explained. “It will be safer for you to travel without them overseas. If no-one knows for sure which ship you’re on, most would assume you’re with your companions.”

Seth shook his head. “Bad idea,” he said. “Nothing good has ever come from us splitting up.” He glanced at Sandra. “This is a terrible idea, right?”

She nodded silently, her expression tight.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but this is the safest way for you to travel right now. We need to get you on board before it gets any later,” Jasper said. “The town is already starting to wake.”

She hesitated. Glanced at her friends. 

Sandra looked uneasy, which set Adalynn’s nerves off. Owen didn’t seem happy about it, but he gave her a small nod.

She turned to Seth. He met her eyes and shook his head, ever so slightly. He seemed nervous, and that did little to help her calm down. But… 

She took a breath and nodded reluctantly. “Um… could I have a minute?” she asked, turning to Jasper.

He hesitated. “Don’t be long.” 

He gave the group a single nod before boarding the ship, shouting an order.

Adalynn turned back to her friends. Owen was the first to give her a hug. “This time should be faster than last,” he said. “It’s always faster sailing south in these waters.”

She nodded. “Okay. Thanks for everything, Owen.” She grinned. “See you soon.”

Next, she turned to Sandra, who didn’t budge. “Are you alright?”

The younger girl’s jaw tightened. “I don’t like that none of us are going with you,” she said. 

“I think you’re forgetting I do know how to fight,” Adi said with a wry smile. “And besides, I won’t be alone. Jasper and his men will be with me; it’ll be fine. It’s not like someone will attack in the middle of the strait.”

Sandra sighed, her jaw twitching. “Still.” She met Adalynn’s eyes. “Be careful.” She turned around, then surprised Adalynn by turning back and giving her a quick hug. 

“Don’t open it until you’re alone,” Sandra said in a whisper. “Show no one.”

Adalynn frowned, but Sandra slipped a small scrap of paper into her pocket as she stepped back. 

Sandra practically glared at her, keeping her silent. “See you soon,” the younger girl said. 

Both Sandra and Owen waved and excused themselves, heading to their own ship and leaving Adalynn and Seth alone. The paper in Adi’s pocket faded to the back of her mind.

“So…” she said. “Don’t drown.”

Seth frowned. “You’re okay with this?”

She shrugged. “I just want to get home as soon as possible. I don’t want to waste time arguing about it.”

Just then, she realized something. “Wait, no, I’m not okay with this, separating puts a target on you and the others! How did I not realize that?” She shook her head. “I have to tell Jasper-”

Seth rested a hand on her arm. “It’s okay, Adi.” He tried for a smile, though he still seemed unnerved. “Better me than you.”

“No.”  She turned back to him. “I don’t like splitting up.”

He pulled her into a hug. “I know. Me neither. But I guess Jasper has a point; the target will be on us either way. At least this way will keep you safe.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

“Just… be on alert, okay? Don’t let your guard down. Just to be safe.”

She pulled back and looked at him. “Are you okay? You and Sandra both seem off.”

He hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. Just… just be careful. Stay safe, don’t do anything stupid.” He glanced behind her, to the ship deck.

She laughed, trying to convince herself that she was imagining his unease. “I should be saying that to you, not the other way around.” She thought for a second. “At least this way, I can see if Jasper would be willing to give me some pointers for when we get back to Carlow. You know, for the fight.”

Seth stiffened. “Actually-”

“What?”

He grimaced. “We thought it’d be best if you stay out of the fighting once we get back.”

She blinked in surprise. “What? Why?”

“Same reason we’re splitting up.”

“Your Majesty, we need to go!” Jasper called from the deck. 

“You’re trying to keep me from helping?” she asked, ignoring Jasper.

Seth shook his head. “We’re trying to keep you safe, that’s all.”

“Adalynn, come on!”

She shook her head. “I have to go.”

“You can’t seriously be mad at me for this!”

She glanced behind her as she stepped onto the deck. “See you in Eston, Seth.”