“They’re just arriving now,” Jack tells Alex as he paces back and forth in the gardens. He was keen to make an early move, but they have now been pushed back by more than an hour, waiting for Markus and Katrina to arrive.

“Bring them right through, would you, Jack?” Jamie tells him, before turning to calm Alex. “Will you relax! No-one at home is going to be worried if we are a little behind schedule and we’ll still be back in Fundis with plenty of time to relax.”

“I know. It’s just that I had a plan and I hate changes.”

“You said that as if I wasn’t aware. That’s impressive.”

“Sorry, love.”

“Don’t apologise, just calm down. Look, our guests are here.” Markus and Katrina have come through the embassy building quickly, holding hands and dressed casually, if a little too much for the weather they will soon encounter. Behind them come Markus’s valet and a maid for Katrina, the most Jamie had told them that they could manage to accommodate at the embassy. Both of them are carrying two heavy bags of belongings.

“Welcome, both of you, to Tanerian territory. I hope you’re ready for a few days in the sun?”

“We are indeed,” Markus tells him. “We’re not quite sure what to expect. I hope we have packed appropriately.”

“Don’t worry if you haven’t. There are really nice places selling beachwear almost next door to the embassy.”

“I’m sorry that we’re a few minutes late. My uncle was being King. Loudly!”

“Oh, are you late?” Alex asks sarcastically. Jamie turns to him with a measured stare and the first hint of a raised finger. “Sorry, no, not a problem.”

“You must both forgive my husband,” Jamie tells them with a smile and a lowering of his finger. “He hates last-minute changes of plan. If you are all ready, however, we had better be going. Jack, are you ready?”

“Coming, Highness,” Jack calls from the doorway, dashing out to join them.

“Do we need to stand close?” Katrina asks as they step onto the lawn.”

“Not particularly, but it helps to make things simple at the other end,” Alex tells her as they come together in a circle around a set of luggage.

Both Markus and Katrina look fairly relaxed, but Katrina’s maid seems quite agitated.

“Are you okay, Mara,” Katrina asks as she notices the young lady’s distress.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Mara manages quietly. She clearly isn’t okay, but is now trying to put on a brave face for her employer.

“Here,” Alex says, holding out his hand to the girl. “Hold my hand and we shall go together.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Ready?” Alex asks with a brief look around. When there are no objections and a couple of nods of agreement he closes his eyes for a moment, checks the grounds of the castle in Tanis and shifts them all together.

One of the less-used garden spaces inside the castle has been established for Alex and Jamie to come and go without problems. The space is more than large enough to accommodate the seven of them and the air in Tanis is warm yet crisp, the scent of recent rain in the air.

“I didn’t feel a thing,” Mara tells Alex as he releases her hand and she stares around her at the changed surroundings.

“Jack? Take care of the prince’s staff if you would. Perhaps send someone out to cover this luggage in case we have another shower of rain?” Jamie suggests.

“Yes, Highness. How long are we staying?”

“Just for lunch and a meeting with Father. Be ready to leave by four?”

“Yes, Highness.”

“The King will not be expecting visitors,” Markus suggests as they walk towards the main part of the castle.

“No, but he delights in guests, expected or not,” Jamie replies with a smile. “I’m sure that you are well aware how dull most of royal life can be. He is expecting Alex and myself and feeding two more will not be a problem.”

The four of them barely make it into the building before they are met by Persis, the housekeeper. “Welcome home, young master,” she tells Jamie with a modest curtsy. “Am I to assume that there are two more for lunch?”

“Indeed, Persis. I hope that won’t cause too much trouble. This is Prince Markus of Fionor and his wife, Katrina. They are travelling north with us for a few days.”

“Of course, Highness. I’ll order the table setting adjusted. I believe your mother is in the drawing room and the King is in his study.”

“I’ll bring the King up-to-date if you want to go and see your mother with our guests, Jamie?” Alex asks.

“Makes sense. You did the talking yesterday in any case. Don’t be late for lunch.”

“I’ll make sure to drag him along,” Alex agrees. “See you all shortly.”

Alex and Persis head off in the same direction, leaving Jamie to lead the couple off into the main residential part of the castle. It’s a walk that is deeply familiar for Jamie, but now a little out of place as they spend so little time in Tanis.

“I told you there was a different way to do things,” Katrina tells Markus as they walk down a broad corridor that is tastefully furnished. “Your uncle tries too hard and it all ends up looking a bit of a mess.”

“I know. I have visited other palaces and castles,” Markus agrees. “Jamie’s mother is renowned for having very good taste, though.”

“She is,” Jamie agrees. “We also have a tendency to always be modest. Both of my parents have sought to emphasize that we have no need to flaunt our wealth. These are private apartments, but even the council chamber and great hall are modest compared to many other states. Honestly, the plumbing is perhaps where my father spends more than on anything else.”

“I’m afraid that my uncle is the opposite. He believes that displays of wealth are important as they also display the power behind the wealth,” Markus suggests as they approach the door to the drawing room. “He’s a difficult man to talk to, even at the best of times, but particularly when it comes to what he likes and believes.”

“I know this only too well. His opinion of Alex and myself is not a secret. Times change, however. Now, please come in.”

“Jamie, my son, you are late!” Queen Elsbet cries as they enter but stands and moves to embrace her son in a firm hug. She kisses his cheek lightly before stepping back to turn and face the others. “You have brought friends with you though, so I forgive your tardiness.”

Jamie makes relaxed formal introductions before they all take seats. The queen is keen to enquire after the health of her younger son, but also happy to talk with the guests and assure them that they are welcome.

“We have met before, Majesty,” Katrina suggests once they are comfortable. “My father brought me to the wedding of the Empress in Eloria when I was twelve. You and the King also attended.”

“Of course. It was such a grand affair. I remember you in that red silk dress at the reception. Your parents are well?”

“They are. Father is now semi-retired. Being chancellor in Meribor has always been a busy position. He’s happy to leave the bulk of the work to my elder brother. You met him as well.”

“And what of you, Markus. I was sorry to hear about your father, but I hope your mother is well.”

“Thank you, Majesty. Yes, mother is as well as can be expected. The sad loss of my father has been difficult for us all, but obviously most difficult for her. Cancer is a terrible disease. It was heartbreaking to watch him just fade away when nothing could be done for him.”

The door to the drawing room opens and a stunningly beautiful young woman walks in. She’s clearly pregnant, but not yet near to her full term. It only stands to increase her radiance.

“Oh, Tabitha, please come and meet Jamie’s friends,” the queen says, holding out a hand to draw Tabitha to a seat on the sofa next to her own. Again there’s a round of introductions and the usual questions about health and life in general.

The dining room doors are drawn open and lunch is called before the King and Alex arrive. A quickly whispered command from the queen sends one of the staff off in a rush to get them. Damien is visiting some of the landowning lords in the south of the kingdom, leaving Tabitha to rest and relax in the castle.

“The two of them change much as time goes on,” the King suggests to Markus. “Not just the peace that their combined power seems to have brought to the continent, but in other ways as well. However your uncle feels about their relationship, I can attest that, for Taneria at least, being more accepting has brought us only positive changes.”

“There must surely still be people who disapprove though,” Markus asks.

“Oh, certainly. Change is a gradual process and I did push things along quite quickly. Mostly because I love my son and had the power to do so.” Talus smiles at Jamie and Alex with a nod. “Why shouldn’t any person have the right to marry whoever it is that they love. Here in Taneria, there’s a slight tax benefit to being married, of course. Apart from that, my main concern for others was to see that rights of inheritance and such didn’t leave same-gender partners to suffer even more after the loss of their loved one. 

“I was more surprised to see Eboria follow your lead. I had been led to believe that their religious beliefs were as strongly opposed as those back home in Fionor.”

Alex barely manages to hid his fit of giggling and it takes a stern look from Jamie to quiet him. “You didn’t hear about their high priest, then? Catheon left that part of our journey out of his recounting.”

“Actually,” the King interjects, “I’m not sure that either of you have told us this part of your traveller’s tale. Alex, care to enlighten us?”

“As His Majesty commands,” Alex says with a very formal nod that does little to hide the broad smile on his features.

“When we stopped in Eridan to rest for a day or two before going to get the Flame, we were required to attend a royal audience with the High Priest. A weaselly man called Nidar Sett. Apparently, word of our still-new relationship had been spreading and he had objections to our travel plans.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Jamie adds.

“Anyway, he insulted Jamie, he insulted me, he insulted Shara and then he even defied his king, insulting him in open court.”

“Was the man an idiot?” Markus asks.

“Well, that’s what Shara thought. I had to hold him back to stop him from ripping the man’s throat out. I’m sorry to confess that my temper got the better of me and I threw him and his two acolytes into the harbour.”

“I thought the palace in Eridan was on a hill away from the coast, isn’t it?” Katrina asks in confusion.

“Oh, yes, about half a mile or so,” Alex tells her with a grin. “I shifted the three of them into the air above the middle of the harbour and let them fall. Sadly, there were fishermen at hand to rescue them from drowning.”

“I’m afraid that you have a habit of introducing people to water, Alex,” the King suggests wearily.

“Well, it always seems like a better option than introducing them to rock, sire.”

“He is trying his best, Father. It has been at least six months since he threw someone into a pond,” Jamie adds.

“I presume Elton sorted everything out in the aftermath?” the King asks.

“Of course,” Alex tells him with a grin. “Sett decided to retire to the country and a younger man took over the role of High Priest. He seems much more modern-thinking and practical.”

“I’m assuming that people forget just how powerful the two of you are?” Markus asks carefully. “Few were actually present at the battle for Tanis and even fewer on the Benterian side lived to talk about it.”

“You’re more or less correct,” Alex muses. “Our ability to travel is far beyond what most people have ever seen from someone with magic and that is sufficient for most to understand our strength. However, Jamie almost never moves an object, far less a person. I certainly don't do anything that might be dangerous – except occasionally throwing someone into a pond.”

“Do either of you even know your limits, then?” Katrina asks.

“For the most part, yes,” Jamie tells her. “I’m pretty sure I know how big an object I can manipulate with a fair degree of accuracy. I lifted a three-masted sailing trader off the rocks at the mouth of Fundis harbour last winter. It was letting in water and needed to be examined before I placed it back in the water fully. Alex could surely have shifted it just as easily.”

“I’m more limited by my vision than by power. I never want to shift to somewhere I cannot see – I’ve never tried but I don’t think I can do so,” Alex adds. “I’m sure I could have rescued the ship, as Jamie suggests. I moved 100 men on horseback five hundred miles with relative ease. As you have experienced, smaller groups over longer distances are no effort at all.”

“You did dig that irrigation channel in Salicia as well,” the King points out.

“An interesting task. They had planned to dig it conventionally. Three thousand men would have taken maybe six months, but the need for water was growing urgent and they asked for help. I walked the ten-mile-long route, shifting the earth out in chunks. The final channel was tidied up in a week, but I did the main excavation in three hours. Twenty feet deep and about fifty feet wide.

“If you ever need an impenetrable fortress, Alex and I can build one in a week out of solid rock,” Jamie adds with a grin.

“Now, we have chatted long enough and a King has duties,” Talus suggests as he stands and steps back from the table. “Perhaps it is time for you youngsters to continue your journey?”

“Indeed it is,” Jamie agrees. “We’re wasting good swimming time.”