Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

A Paelsian ship delivering wine to Auranos.

On any other day, the sight of this docking boat might have made Jonas feel nostalgic. But today, nothing but rage rose within him.

“Back to business, just like that,” he muttered.

Of course, no matter what kinds of travesties and violence Jonas’s homeland had just endured, Auranians wouldn’t dare deprive themselves of their fine Paelsian wine, which was valued for its perfect sweetness and its total lack of any ill effects after a night of overindulging.

Drink yourself rotten and feel just fine the next day. Of course that was a promise of the utmost importance to these Auranians—still hedonistic, even under the King of Blood’s rule.

Now that Jonas believed in the legends, and had witnessed firsthand the life-giving effects of Paelsian grape seeds infused with earth magic, which had brought him back from the brink of death, he was certain that Paelsian wine had elementia to thank for its success.

And Jonas still had Auranos to condemn for enslaving Paelsians, monopolizing their vineyards, and binding them into a contract to sell only to them.

It was a good reminder that Limerians weren’t the only evildoers in the world.

Jonas swayed on his feet as a wave of dizziness washed over him. It stank near the water—of fish, of waste thrown over the side of the docked ships, of the ripe body odor of the workers. And he could feel his fever getting worse.

Just before he was about to keel over, a hand gripped his arm, keeping him upright.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite rebel!” boomed a jolly voice. “Good morning, Jonas!”

Jonas turned toward the man, who regarded him with a wide, toothy grin. Ah, yes, it was Bruno, Galyn’s grandfather. Jonas was well acquainted with the old man, who had great enthusiasm for the rebel cause, as well as a tendency to speak his thoughts and opinions aloud at high volumes.

“Bruno, please, speak softly.” Jonas looked around nervously.

Bruno’s smile dropped away. “My poor boy, did you lose your eye?”

“I . . . uh, no.” He absently brushed his fingers over the eye patch. “It’s only a disguise. I’m rather recognizable around here, in case you didn’t know. So, hush.”

“Well, thank the goddess for that! Two eyes are much more useful than only one.” The old man signaled toward a worker from the Paelsian ship who’d disembarked and drawn closer to them. “Good, that’s good! Twenty cases, yes?”

“Yes, sir!”

Jonas eyed the ship. “You’re picking up a shipment?”

Bruno nodded. “Been checking here every day for nearly a week because the ship was delayed. But I had to be diligent so someone else wouldn’t sweep in and steal my order. The wine’s so popular the Silver Toad would be shuttered for good without it.”

If he’d been here for a week, he could be of great help to Jonas.

“Bruno . . . do you know when the king will be here? Have you heard people here talking about his departure over the past week? Nerissa told us he’s taking a trip overseas.”

Bruno frowned. “King Corvin? But he’s dead!”

Jonas tried to keep his patience. “No, Bruno. King Gaius.”

Bruno’s entire face went sour. “Bah. He’s an evil snake, that one! Going to take us all down in flames if we give him half a chance!”

“Agreed. But have you heard anything about his departure from Auranos?”

He shook his head. “Not a thing. However, I did see him.”

Jonas blinked. “You saw him?”

Bruno gestured toward the flock of departing ships with his thumb. “Left earlier this morning on a big black Limerian ship with a red sail. Ugly snake crest painted on the side. How could anyone think he’s trustworthy, sailing in on an evil-looking ship like that?”

“He left this morning?”

Bruno nodded. “Passed right by me while I waited in this very spot. I tried to spit on him, you know, to show my support for the rebels, but it landed on a seabird instead.”