The rain stopped right as Alex brought the shuttle in for a landing. He flipped a few switches as he brought it down near one of the shuttle stops, leaving it floating above the mud and muck below as moonlight filtered in from the parting clouds above.


    "Let''s just hope they don''t track the stolen ship to us," he whispered as he threw the final lever and reduced the engine to minimum power.


    They would be out of Dry Turtle with any luck by the time anyone bothered to investigate. Even if the Port Authority did come snooping around, it wasn''t like they had a database of fingerprints to run any they might find against. As far as Alex had seen across Erth, there was little emphasis on investigation—just accusations and witness statements.


    That was lucky for them because no one saw them steal the ship or free the slaves.


    "Alright, let''s shove off," he said, jumping down onto the deck from the control panel. "When we''re away from the ship, we can talk about our stowaway."


    Erin and Sayed looked at Artur as he rose from his crouch beside them. They hadn''t noticed him either. Alex only had the benefit of trying to see through the storm to pilot the shuttle. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have even thought to take a head count.


    Thump.


    He landed on the ground, sinking in a little as he jumped off the ship. The others followed him, and they began walking back to the ship. As they did, Artur jogged ahead, sloshing through the muddy ground to talk to Alex.


    "It would be germane for me to say why I chose to follow," he said, frowning as Alex didn''t stop walking. "Just a moment of your time, if you would allow."


    "I''m never going to like this rhyming thing," Alex said, letting out a sigh. "Why are you following us? You would''ve had better luck trying to stow away on the ship with the others."


    "That is why to you I must speak." Artur stopped to raise a finger, but Alex kept walking. "I wish to journey with those who protect the meek!"


    "We don''t do that," Alex said, turning around. "We act in our best interests. We wouldn''t have been involved if Erin hadn''t gotten caught."


    "It''s not like I tried to get kidnapped," Erin said, walking past Alex and continuing toward the ship.


    "I didn''t say you did." Alex shook his head, following after her. "But like I said, if you hadn''t been caught, we wouldn''t have even gotten involved."


    "It hurts my heart, but it is true," Sayed said. "While I may have high ideals, the reality of this world is that of darkness and strife. To change it would require power I do not possess yet."


    Alex noted the ''yet,'' but he wasn''t surprised. If Sayed wanted one thing, it was for everyone to be free. Alex understood the sentiment, but the extremity to which Sayed pursued it gave him pause. What would Sayed do to free someone? Would he take a fight he couldn''t win?


    It was a reminder of the risk of traveling with a group. He would need to keep an eye on Sayed, especially as they got closer to the Core. Slavery and oppression were as common there as breathing.


    "You say the words, but you deny the actions." Artur ran ahead of them, stopping in front of them and throwing his arms wide. "You acted to help, even if you had your reasons."


    Alex sounded out the words in his head. He wasn''t certain, but that didn''t feel like a rhyme. Granted, he wasn''t an expert. His major in college was political science, and worrying about rhymes in meters was an entirely different department.


    "Alright." Alex raised his hands. "So, why are you so keen to come with us?"


    "For that, I will need to tell you a tale," Artur said. "And without interruption, I would like to regale."


    Alex crossed his arms but nodded. Erin and Sayed took up positions at his side. Erin put her hands on her hips while Sayed left his hands open.


    "A story is always worth the time." Sayed smiled. "Even if it must be conveyed in rhyme."


    "Oh, don''t start." Erin sighed. "Then we''ll all be doing it."


    Alex stifled a chuckle but waved for Artur to start.


    "My father turned me away. Sent once more into the fray," he said, bowing his head and clenching his fist. "His counsel was a devlish damsel. In his ear, she whispered, ''Make him an example.''"


    Alex raised an eyebrow. If he could keep up the rhyming speech throughout the entire explanation, he would have to give points for it. It didn''t mean he would let the prince come along or help him out, but that kind of dedication required commitment.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Father still with me bears a grudge. For a death and a life, he became a judge." Artur looked up, raising his hand and opening his fingers wide. "For the cost of a youthful tryst, I was to be sent away, dismissed."


    It was like listening to someone speak a dialect. The language was the same, but it took extra effort to interpret what the words meant. Like people who used ''pop'' instead of ''soda,'' the extra effort pushed against his brain and made him think harder. Alex rubbed at his forehead.


    "I would travel to lands far to show my worth. After achieving grandness, I would return to berth," Artur said, bringing his hand in, closing it into a fist again at his chest. "However, I could not foresee the true plan. Betrayed, I was by my butler, my serving man."


    That explained how he got captured, at least. Alex thought back to the shuttle. He was a little more certain now that the person chained around the neck was this knight, prince, or whatever he was. Alex frowned but chose to say nothing. It wasn''t his business.


    "Into the hands of slavers, I was delivered. For gold and silver, in the end, only a sliver." Artur shook his head. "My butler betrayed me for the love of Miss Malone. He left me with slavers to work the stone."


    "Slavers," Sayed grumbled, crossing his arms.


    "But my land, she needs me, of that I am sure. Grim Aegis, the guardian of the Twelve''s allure." Artur looked to the clouded moon. "So, take me with you, bring me along, I say. I will make sure you receive compensation that day!"


    That perked up Alex''s ears. Not the money, though they certainly needed more coin. Grim Aegis was one of the entrances to the Twelve Kingdoms. There were only four in total. If Artur was truly the prince of Grim Aegis, he could help them get the ship through the barrier around the Twelve Kingdoms.


    The prince standing in front of them was the solution to one of their biggest problems. He was like a gift-wrapped key to the door. For the cost of getting him to Grim Aegis, they could get through the first barrier to Mangus Hortus.


    "For I cannot retake Grim Aegis by myself. I need heroes like you who can help."


    "Did you say Grim Aegis?" Erin asked, locking eyes with Alex, and he nodded to her.


    "Why? Is it important?" Sayed grunted.


    "Grim Aegis is a key island," Erin said. "Have you ever been to the Twelve Kingdoms?"


    "Once," Alex said. "I was more focused than getting out than in, but I learned enough."


    "Never." Sayed shook his head.


    "If we''re going to Magnus Hortus, we need to go through a key island," Erin said. "Grim Aegis is one of them."


    "That sounds like an easy solution!" Sayed boomed, a wide smile cracking his beard.


    "A fortuitous turn of fate." Artur clapped. "Let us go, no need to wait!"


    They immediately clasped hands, and Alex shook his head. He didn''t like that it was this convenient, but at the same time, it was the path forward. Like when they had found Mari and got to Roald''s ship before Runa had died of old age, too much of his life lately seemed lucky.


    It was almost enough to make him think Jean had a point about fate. Almost, but not enough.


    "So, let''s say we bring you with us," Alex said. "You get us through Grim Aegis and into the Twelve Kingdoms, and we help you get home."


    "That would be a fortune that would be repaid." Artur let go of Sayed''s hand and turned to Alex. "Not just in one, but thrice and more once the deal is made."


    There was another reason Alex thought about agreeing to help him. Not only was it on the way, but a royal family near the core would have access to their core. They would also not use it recklessly to mitigate the chance of a black spot forming. If Alex could access the core, it would just be one additional boon to the already long list that Artur was offering.


    "Let''s go to the ship and talk it over." Alex sighed. "But we''re going to have to figure out how to talk without you rhyming all the time."


    "In the written word, I am not bound by oath," Artur frowned. "So, if need be, find paper, parchment, or both."


    "Alright, come on," Alex said, rubbing his head as he pushed past Artur toward the ship.


    As they approached, Alex noticed a problem. Well, it was less of a problem and more of a giant serpentine ice sculpture wrapped around the ship''s hull. He stopped as they approached, looking up at the sculpture and squinting. Once he was sure it wasn''t a threat, he took the time to appreciate it.


    "Shades," Erin whispered beside him. "What happened?"


    "Jean and Wen must have a great story to explain all of this," Sayed said, already starting up the ladder. "Let me find them. I want to hear it first!"


    "He''s too excited about it," Erin sighed, following him up the ladder.


    "Such a strange beast," Artur said, clapping Alex on the shoulder. "You should celebrate its defeat with a feast."


    As he said that, Alex noticed a figure beneath the ship, staggering away on a single stiff leg. She looked like she was wearing a dress, though her leg stuck to the folds of the dress in an unnatural way. He narrowed his eyes, pushing Artur''s hand off his shoulder as he snuck forward.


    He opened his gate, letting an electric charge pulse through his body. Already, he was putting information together. The only reason the woman would be covered with ice anywhere near the Nighthawk was that she had a run-in with Li Wen. He didn''t say a word as he focused on his gate.


    "I''ll get her next time," the woman said as she dragged her frozen leg across the ground. "She''ll rue the day she stood up to a Finger!"


    "Is she hurt—" Artur started to run past Alex, and he was sure he had an accompanying couplet, but Alex held out a hand to stop him.


    "She''s about to be." He focused, calling an electric blue light into his hand as the woman turned around. "Rail Shot."


    Bzt.


    In a flash, the coin appeared in his hand, and he flicked it forward, empowering it with a magnetic push that sent it careening right toward her forehead. To a normal person, imbued with aether for their entire life across Erth, it would have been enough to at least put her down.


    Splash.


    It shot straight through, piercing her skull and knocking out the back with a spray of clear water. In the next instant, her entire body fell away into a puddle, leaving only the frozen leg lying on the ground. Alex tilted his head as he watched the puddle.


    "What in the hell was that?" he asked.


    "Of that, I have no clue," Artur said. "Whoever she was, I hope that was her due."


    Alex gave him a sidelong glare before turning and starting up the ship. Artur followed after him. When he got on deck, he''d get whatever happened out of Li Wen. Then, they would settle whether or not they would escort Artur home. He only hoped that Jean had managed to get the repairs so they could get out of Dry Turtle quickly.