It doesn’t take Tarmon very long to gather what he needs for the journey. He returns quickly with a heavy fabric bag that obviously contains clothing and another that is apparently full of books.

“You will have to carry those on your own,” Alex tells him as the three of them follow the council back towards the middle of the city square. “I hope there is nothing in that pile of books that you are not prepared to lose?”

“No, they are copies. Do you think I’ve brought too much?” Tarmon asks.

“Not exactly, no. You may just have to re-evaluate your priorities when we get to Fundis.”

Shara appears from one of the side streets, accompanied once more by two small humans. Once the meeting was over, he apparently went off to spend some time with Melita’s grandchildren. The little girl is riding on the huge leopard’s back and the boy is walking along beside them, hand on Shara’s neck.

When they see Tarmon dressed to travel there’s a few chaotic moments as the girl manages to get down from Shara’s back and the two of them rush forward.

“Are you going with the strangers, uncle Tarmon?” the boy asks as the two of them grab onto a leg each.

“I’m afraid that I must,” Tarmon tells them. “It is a long journey and I will be gone for a long time. You must both promise to be good for your mother and father while I am away.”

“Will you bring us something back?” the boy asks.

“I will see what I can find. Something that we cannot get here, perhaps.” Stooping down he kisses them both on the forehead before moving with Shara to join Jamie and Alex.

“There is no need for a long speech or wishes for success,” Melita tells the four of them. “Go with our blessings and best wishes.” With a sudden look of concern she adds softly “Look after my son!”

Alex smiles at her and nods his head slightly. Happy that the group are ready, he shifts them back to the residence in Fundis. It’s Tarmon who lets out a surprised gasp at the sudden change of location. He collects himself quickly and looks slightly sheepish. “Sorry, I expected to feel something during the process. The fact that I felt nothing was what surprised me.”

“I understand,” Jamie tells him. “I almost feel, sometimes, that there should be a shimmering of the air or flashes of light or something. Instead, we just go from one place to another in an instant and it can be jarring.”

“This is your first time away from home?” Alex asks.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Well, firstly, you can stop the whole ‘my lord’ thing. My name is Alex and, despite my husband being a prince, his name is Jamie. It would be wrong of me to get the servants to stop their formality,” he continues as Jack approaches with a bow and a formal greeting. “However, we are now travelling companions and formality has no place among us. It is something I shall explain to the Prince of Mekalla tomorrow.”

“I’m not used to being around strangers. I’m afraid my life at home has been somewhat sheltered and isolated,” Tarmon murmurs as he follows the men inside, Jack leading the way. “Even being away from the aura of magic feels a little odd. Is that the sound of the ocean I hear?”

“It is,” Jamie tells his guest. “We chose this location for that very reason. Both Alex and I love the sea – though I fear we may get sick of it soon enough on a long sailing journey north. We are at the edge of the trading city of Fundis, in an area where people come to relax.”

“I understand it is a great city. Will we have time to see some of it?”

“I think so. We may well need to take you shopping. We will help you to repack tomorrow and see what else you might need,” Alex tells him. “I’m going to assume that you can ride a horse – I forgot to ask before agreeing to take you along.”

“Yes, I can ride, although I don’t pretend to be an expert horseman.”

“You will be by the time we get to the far north,” Jamie tells him with a chuckle. “Long days in the saddle honed my skills, although I don’t use them much these days.”

“This may have been a mistake,” Tarmon mutters. “Perhaps I should go home.”

“Relax, Tarmon,” Alex tells him as they move into the reception room and he gestures towards comfort able seating. “I have travelled for all of my adult life. You are in safe hands and I did promise that I would return you safely. At some point, everyone goes out into the wider world for the first time. It is an adventure and it is daunting, but it is a necessity.”

“I thought I had a few more years.”

“Tell us a little about yourself,” Jamie asks while they wait for Jack to organise one of the guest rooms for Tarmon.

“Indeed, it will be good for us to get to know one-another a little better. There will be weeks on the ship to become acquainted with your other travelling companions, but start right now,” Alex agrees.

“Well, there’s not much to tell really. I’m nineteen and live with my mother. I have an older sister and, as you saw, a niece and nephew. I’ve spent my life in study, perfecting my magic as best as I can and learning about the four Jewels.”

Jamie reaches into his shirt once more, following the chain up to the back of his neck where he unclasps the Flame and draws it out of its hiding place. He hands it to Tarmon who takes is gingerly.

“Relax, it’s harmless.”

“Well, not really,” Tarmon mutters. “The four Jewels are each very different from one-another. The Flame of the West is the amplifier. As you have both found out, it elevates your strength to unimaginable levels. The Star of the North is a regulator. It moderates the weather in the North, keeping the ice at bay.”

Holding the jewel firmly in one hand, Tarmon holds out his other hand, palm upwards and concentrates. Dancing flames, flickering from blue to gold, appear to float just above his hand harmlessly, their light flickering across the walls of the room. “Yes, easier than it should be,” he tells them. “Still, I cannot draw much strength from it.”

“No, a couple of others have said the same thing. It makes them stronger, but only by a small degree,” Alex agrees. “You are strong in fire magic. I know I have a little of it, so perhaps you can teach me how to use it a little as we travel?”

“Perhaps. Maybe we can all learn from the magic of the others?”

“Well, it will pass the time,” Jamie agrees. “Now, is there anything else that we need to know about you? Anything that is important to us keeping you safe?”

“I can look after myself.”

“Oh, I’m sure of that,” Alex agrees. “However, I have to look after the whole expedition. Whatever happens and wherever we go, you will stand out from the crowd. Your hair colour and complexion are both unusual. It may not be remarkable where you come from, but out in the rest of the world, you will attract much attention.”

“My husband is a clumsy oaf with his words sometimes,” Jamie interrupts. “What he’s trying to say – without hurting my feelings, I fear – is that you are exotically attractive. Stunningly so. It is now one of the things that he feels he needs to protect you from. Unwanted advances.”

Tarmon blushes. His pale skin heats rapidly to a bright pink, the flush rising from his chest, up his neck and across his cheeks. “Nobody has ever called me attractive before,” he manages after a moment.

“Well,” Alex tells him, “I have seen much of this continent and many, many people. For many it is wrong to suggest that a man is pretty. We use words like attractive or handsome. Being firmly in the group of men who are attracted to men rather than women, I have no such constraint. I do suspect, however, that whether your own tastes lie one way, the other or both, you will not be short of eager suitors.”

“Is it true that, in many places, your marriage is frowned upon?” Tarmon asks tangentially.

“Yes,” Alex agrees. “But times are changing. Acceptance of same-sex relationships is growing and spreading, but there is still bigotry and hatred in the hearts and minds of some.”

“It has never been a problem among the other mages. We are very accepting of pretty much however people wish to be. You are so serious about protecting me? Is this simply protection from myself? A warning from my mother?”

“No,” Alex is quick to assure the younger man. “I’m more than happy to let you make your own mistakes and, apart from the open and obvious admonishment to look after you, your mother has asked nothing special. There are, however, always people – of both sexes – who will seek to take advantage.”

“I’m not travelling with you to seek romance,” Tarmon says with a shake of his head. “I’m not averse to the possibility, but it’s not really on my mind. As to having a preference, I’m not really sure that I know.”

“And we’re not trying to find out,” Jamie is now also quick to reassure. “Just remember that we will protect you. It is part of being on such an expedition and in charge.”

“Now, here’s Jack to show you to the guest suite. He will show you how everything works. Why don’t you take a shower and then join us for dinner? Let Jack know if there’s anything that you don’t eat.”

Alex asks Tarmon to be present for their meeting with the Mekallan delegation, not least to introduce him to them and explain why he is coming along. The three of them find seats in the reception room after a hearty breakfast and make themselves comfortable while they wait.

The commotion of their guests’ arrival is muted, but easily enough heard in the large room, making Jack’s knock on the door entirely expected. The three men rise as the two foreigners enter, all bowing formally. Jamie makes a quick introduction, explaining that Tarmon is a mage with extensive knowledge of the Star and the other Jewels.

Lee Shan offers a measured acknowledgement, but Jin Chao seems almost struck speechless. It takes him a moment to gather his composure, almost unable to stop staring at the young redhead. Jamie gives Alex a knowing smile that he quickly hides.

“Am I to assume that the young man’s presence is a sign of good news?” Lee Shan asks when they are all sitting once more.

“It is,” Alex tells him. “Your request was persuasive, but even if that had not been the case, we cannot in good conscience say no. We are in general agreement. If your harvests fail, then it will lead to conflict.”

“And you conferred with King Talus?” Lee Shan asks.

“Yes. He was also in total agreement and accepted that we would be absent for some considerable time. Also, he mentioned that the two of you had perhaps met before?” Jamie comments.

“I’m surprised that he remembered. It was more than twenty years ago now. Knowing how knowledgeable and interesting he was as a young man, I’m sure he is a formidable king.”

“I might be biased,” Jamie agrees. “But I agree. He’s brought peace to much of the continent, albeit with our help.”

“As for Tarmon, his presence is Shara’s idea,” Alex adds. “He does have extensive knowledge at his disposal and is also a capable mage, or so I have been told.”

“Do you propose to bring any others with you?” Jin Chao asks. “We’ve plenty of space on the ship, but do hope to travel lightly.”

“There will be six of us in total,” Alex suggests. “I’m bringing Garvan and Brion, two of the Tanerian Royal Guards. I know you will manage security on our expedition, but I like to have men along who’s reactions I can anticipate. Also, Master Catheon will journey with us. Partly to extend his knowledge of the world, but also because he is an expert in many things.”

“The engineer will be most welcome,” the Prince suggests. “His abilities at problem-solving are well-known, even beyond these shores. So, six humans. I also assume that Shara is coming with us?”

“He is,” Jamie tells them. “Let’s say that, on occasion, his presence is advantageous.”

“I’m bringing the rest of my party here to the residence tomorrow morning. We will be ready to leave the following day, or whenever you are also ready, of course,” Alex says.

“The day after tomorrow, then,” Jin Chao agrees. “Our ship will be ready to sail by noon. I shall send a cart and men to move your belongings early on that morning.”

“I could just shift them over to you,” Alex points out with a smile.

“Indeed, but then my quartermaster would get upset. That is, believe me, the last thing that we want to happen. Leaving in the middle of the day will take advantage of the tides and get us on our way.”

“I take it that the time of our crossing is an unknown?” Tarmon asks.

“I’m afraid so. We will be at the mercy of the winds. Generally, the voyage from Fundis to Mekalla takes between two and four weeks. We should use the time to get to know each other better,” the Prince suggests with a smile that seems to hold more than a desire for expedience.