“But it’s only been a week!”

Lee ducked as his mother threw a dish towel at his head. Jenna winced and continued frosting cakes, hoping Pa might intervene. The kitchen was warm and the oven full of pies for the Summer Festival, which would begin the next day. A sea breeze came in full blast through the open window, bringing with it the call of an albatross flying overhead.

“I can’t believe this! Can’t they find anyone else??”

“Ma, there’s nothing I can do!” Lee explained, his voice as calm and patient as he could make it, under the circumstances. “It’s a royal order. All Generals are required to return to Asphel by next Monday evening.”

“But why! Why do they need you to go back so soon? You just came home! After five years! Five years, Lee!”

“Now, that’s enough Ma. The boy has no choice.” The farrier’s gruff voice cut in, as he came in through the workshop door. “There’s something fishy going on in Barinesh. That’s what I hear from the port officers. Seems like they’ve got orders to turn back any ships flying a Barinesh flag or bearing a Barinesh registration. Did they say anything about that in the summons?”

Lee shook his head. “It was just the standard summons. No specifications, no other orders except to report to the Regent and Co-Regent at the palace by next week.”

“I guess since you have a week you can at least stay for the Festival. Ferry shuts down tomorrow morning for the next three days anyhow.” That said, the farrier plucked a tart from the row of dishes on the kitchen table and returned to his work.

Jenna, a smear of frosting on her cheek and a finger or two burned from pulling trays out of the sweltering oven for the past few days, went to comfort their sobbing mother. She wondered what had gone wrong, but decided not to venture further on the topic. Outside, streamers were flying from the lampposts and carts were rolling by, laden with extra tables and chairs to set in the square.

There was a loud knock at the door, followed by the sound of boots on the step. Lee, who had been slumped dejectedly in a chair, stood up to see who it might be. Jenna balanced herself on one foot, trying to get a peek as well.

“Another messenger…?” Lee flashed her a quizzical expression as he opened the door, greeted the man, and accepted another scroll. It had been stamped with the royal seal as well. Jenna, ever curious, waited a while before asking what it said. But just as she opened her mouth, Lee suddenly dropped the scroll and ran from the room.

“Lee! What’s happening?” she cried, moving to pick it up. Sounds of frantic packing could be heard from Lee’s room, which had been empty for so long, and would now be empty again. Jenna read the scroll, then felt her heart sink down to her toes. This was not good news. Glancing at her Ma, who was still bowed over the table and a plate of pastry in a torrent of tears, Jenna hurried to Lee’s room.

“You’re leaving again. And this is even worse. Ma will be a wreck!”

Lee looked up from his packing, his face animated with a different light. Jenna had never seen him so excited about anything. Not even about the horses he loved, or letters from his soldier friends, or a good bottle of wine. How could he be excited? Jenna was horrified.

“But Lee! You could…you could die! The pirates—”

“Exactly! The pirates! The King wants me to hunt the pirates! It’s perfect! It’s brilliant!” Lee leapt up, his bags full, a shirt sleeve hanging out of one and a lone sock left neglected on the floor. He reached out to lay a hand on Jenna’s shoulder. “This is my chance, it’s what I’ve been waiting for! I have to go. I can’t miss this.”

“You just came home…” Jenna’s eyes filled with tears. She wiped them away with a floury arm, and then with a corner of her apron. “They’ll kill you…no one’s ever beaten the pirates…” Lee’s excitement waned slightly. Jenna turned and ran back to the kitchen to cry. She knew she couldn’t bear to tell her mother that Lee would really be leaving again now, for who knew how long, on a mission that might very well claim his life. They had always known and accepted that Lee might be in grave danger; it was part of being in the King’s Army. But this…this was terrible. It was like a death sentence. The pirates were ruthless and cunning. How could the King expect Lee to go after them? It was all so unfair.

Jenna was still thinking the same thing that evening, exactly a week since Lee had first come home, as she watched him board the ferry for Asphel. Between her mother’s tears and her father’s grim silence, Jenna could find no hope. She tried to wave goodbye, but her arm felt like lead.

There was nothing to do but wait.

On the morning of the following day, as the trumpets called from the sentry tower at Arholt and the little children came running down the streets with their arms full of summer flowers, Lee arrived at Asphel. It was the royal city, built on an island in the middle of Cradle Bay. Ferries and ships kept the harbor perpetually busy, while the streets were crowded with sailors, foreign dignitaries, and merchants. Lee shouldered his bag and kept walking, the heavy heart he had tried to soothe during the trip now forgetting its worries and regrets. No one could ignore the vibrant atmosphere of Asphel.

Nor could anyone miss the Grand Palace, which sprawled over the entire island and housed not only the Royal Family, but a considerable portion of the King’s Army and legions of servants. Its shining walls and soaring turrets had welcomed Lee, even through the thick morning fog that obscured much of his passage from Arholt. He kept a brisk pace, walking past the market and turning a corner to the Soldier’s Gate. Checking that he was wearing the medal that marked him as a General, he handed his scroll to the guard, who inspected it and saluted smartly. The heavy wrought iron gate opened, and Lee stepped forward onto the Palace grounds.

Half an hour later, Lee crossed the green and ascended a series of marble stairs to the Palace’s main hall. He had already seen several other Generals reporting for duty, some of them indifferent, some of them cranky, and quite a few of them very curious. As he was waiting for his turn to be called in, Lee wandered the vast hall, looking up at the massive paintings of Gareth royalty that hung on the richly paneled walls. Here was Queen Thalia the Wise, and King Oliver of the Sword…Lee peered closely at the plaque beneath that one, remembering King Oliver from history lessons at school. “He who defeated the Pirate King in the greatest Naval Battle of our century…”

“General Farrier?” A footman in yellow livery stood at the door to the receiving room, looking in Lee’s direction with a slightly irritated expression. Lee walked over quickly, nodding apologetically to the footman as the doors closed behind him.

He found himself in the marble-floored receiving room, which was lit by a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Tall windows were spaced evenly along the walls, each one providing a prime view of the easter side of the green and framed by heavy velvet curtains. In the center of the room was a replica of the King’s throne in the Throne Room, carved from mahogany rather than gold. Seated there was the Crown Princess Dawn, with Regent Jal standing close by.

It’s my turn, Lee thought to himself, as he saluted them both. My turn to change history now. And I won’t just defeat the Pirate King...I’ll kill him...