“Money is your right to survive,” Kelmara shrugged uncomfortably. “And any means justifies your survival, right?” Faine looked to the others in alarm. Ricmar sneered in disgust, but no one else was paying more than half attention. He coughed to catch Sawyer’s attention.

“Oh, right,” Sawyer shook his head. “Kelmara has been claiming that the Wives are political prisoners from overseas.”

“That’s what my employer believes,” Kelmara said quickly. “Lord Fakhir, from Laureland, has hired me to return his daughter to him, and it stands to reason that the others could be foreign nobility as well.” Evander stood from his stump, dusted himself off, and made his way to the spot between Kelmara and Sawyer.

“It’s unlikely this Wife or any other is the daughter of a foreign lord,” said Evander. Finally, the group looked interested in the conversation. Faine, however, grit his teeth. He was tired of talking. It was past noon, and he was hungry. Besides, he needed time to consider their offer, and his unease still hadn’t lifted.

“These “marriages” took place twenty years ago. If any of them had a personal connection to foreign leaders, then we’d know about it by now.” explained Evander.

“Perhaps,” said Sawyer. “But I’ve also heard rumors that some are the daughters of wealthy nobles, married off to get in the good graces of Lord Ovis. It’s possible minor nobles in neighboring countries thought to do the same.”

“Then why would Lord Fakhir claim his daughter was kidnapped?” asked Kelmara.

“Maybe he just misses his daughter,” Calemund dismissed. “Nobody knew they’d be kept like prisoners.”

“Or maybe Lord Fakhir is displeased with his dowry,” Kelmara nodded thoughtfully. “Or maybe he wants to disassociate himself with Lord Ovis.”

“We’re overlooking the most obvious answer,” declared Ricmar. “Lord Fakhir simply wants the wife’s power for himself.” The party rolled their eyes and groaned while Calemund waved him on supportively.

“What power?” demanded Faine.

“Why, the power to tell the future, of course,” he smiled. Faine looked at him in bewilderment.

“The earring she the god of the moon gifted her reveals the future,” he said dreamily. Faine grew wary. Magical artifacts couldn’t be used as the focus of a spell that powerful. Or, at least he assumed clairvoyance would be a powerful spell. He’d only heard of it in ancient myths and fairytales.

“I’m going to ask her to tell my fortune,” said Ricmar. “So I can find out how I'm going to die.” Calemund jumped up and snatched something from a nearby bush. This encouraged others to stand up and stretch, or grab start menial tasks.

“And then I’m going to marry her, and the three of us are going to retire to Laureland,” said Calemund. Faine surged to his feet. He didn’t want to skip over Ricmar’s declaration, but this was important.

“What?” he managed.

“Well, I intend to marry the most beautiful woman in the world,” said Calemund. Faine stiffened.

“The most beautiful woman in the world?” he said lowly, evenly, dangerously.

“You haven’t heard about the Wives’ beauty?” Calemund gaped. “How is that possible? The golden fountains reveal their faces!”

“Men have been overcome with madness at the mere sight of a wife,” Evander tossed over his shoulder from a nearby tent.

“Flowers wilt in shame in their presence,” said Ricmar, still lost in thought.

“A hundred oysters reveal white pearls in her hands,” said Kelmara slowly, as if trying to remember an offhand comment.

“I’ve seen tapestries hanging in the halls of Ballard,” said Sawyer, “and they’re all quite exquisite.”

“Although, I don’t know if it’s natural beauty,” Evander approached them again. “Or the work of the witch’s magic.”