The lookout aloft called down, "Sail ahoy, hard on the port tack," and a moment later, "Three sails to port. I have them clear. Flying the Sarosian banner."

Now the lead guard ship was close enough for Gareth to see real turmoil on its quarterdeck. Another, longer signal went up, letter by letter: IS LADY COSYRA OF THE MOUNT ABOARD?.

"Send back affirmative," Gareth said, and looked at Cosyra, who made a face.

"I guess they figured out where I went, hmm? I'm grateful we're bringing back enough treasure to blind even the king, or we might both end up in a cell in the Great Dungeon by tomorrow." She sighed. "I guess my great adventure is over and I'm back to being chained to society, forever more twinkling through life." She put her arm around Gareth. "But it was fun, wasn't it?"

Gareth thought of Knoll N'b'ry, and hundreds of others, rotting in unmarked graves in a strange jungle land. But they'd chosen to go, had they not? And didn't all men have a death due, sooner or later?

"It was," he agreed.

"Sir," Nomios said. "The strangest reply to my signal. They sent back one word a" Hallelujah, letter by letter a" and requested permission for their captain to come aboard."

"Strange. Since when do the coastal guard need permission to board any vessel but the king's?" Gareth said. "Of course they can. Order a heave-to."

The three guardships lowered their sails as they closed on Gareth's ship. A boat was launched from the lead ship, and rowed rapidly across to the treasure ship's boarding port.

The guard captain came up the ladder in a sprightly manner, even though he was a gray-haired, pudgy man.

Gareth went to him, extending his hand.

The officer saw Cosyra, ignored Gareth, and went to his knee.

"Thank Megaris and all our other gods," he said. "You live, Your Grace."

Gareth was astonished to see tears in the man's eyes.

"Uh a get up, man," Cosyra managed. "And what's this Your Grace nonsense?"

The man remained on his knees.

"Then I have the greatest honor of my life, Your Highness, in telling you that you are now the queen of all Saros."

Someone behind Gareth uttered a shocked obscenity that sounded like a prayer.

"I said get up, man!" Cosyra said. "And what's this queen business?"

Finally the guardsman obeyed.

"Ma'am," he said. "When you left, with Lord Newgrange here, Alfieri still a still sat the throne. But not a month after you were discovered to be missing, he fell from his horse, riding along the waterfront. Some said he was looking for you.

"He never regained consciousness, and I can promise you, his rites were the finest any historian could discover that had ever been held in the kingdom."

"You are taking a very long-winded way through your explanation," Cosyra said, and Gareth could feel her heldback anger.

"When his testament was read out, milady, it announced that you were his daughter, born a well, out of marriage, but now acknowledged as his rightful heir."

"Son of a bitch," Cosyra said thoughtfully. "So that was Mother's great secret."

"Yes, my lady," the guardsman said, obviously not understanding. "All Saros went a little mad, realizing their new ruler was not only out of the country, but in the heart of enemy seas and lands as well. Especially since relations with the Linyati have worsened, and we're very close to war."

"So," Gareth mused, "when Quindolphin the snake heard about your running away with me, he immediately told his allies, who went after you either to hold as hostage or to use as their puppet. Explains a lot, doesn't it?"

Cosyra didn't answer, but turned and looked out at the dim line that was Saros.

"I shall be dipped," she murmured, and the guardsman hid a wince at her language.

"I think," Gareth said, fingering the sea eagle he still wore about his neck, "we might be in for some interesting times."

Cosyra turned back and put her arms around him.

"You're telling me," Cosyra, Lady of the Mount, Queen of Saros, said thoughtfully.

"Interesting, indeed."

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