“What are your plans now?” he asked.
I tried to shrug but gave up the effort and instead just said, “I have to go home. But someone needs to be in charge while I’m gone.”
“And you’ve chosen Roden to lead us.” Obviously, the latest gossip hadn’t reached Erick’s locked room.
“Don’t be ridiculous. He just lost to a one-legged opponent, who I might add was mostly unconscious by the end. No, Erick, you’re in charge now.” Erick’s eyes widened but I quickly added, “On two conditions. The first is that you must return that pocket watch to me. I’m tired of trying to steal it from you.”
Erick groaned and pulled the watch from his shirt, then held it out to me. “It doesn’t keep good time.”
“That’s not why I want it,” I said, clutching it in my hand. “The second condition is that you remind the pirates of their oath to the pirate king, to me. But I’m also the Carthyan king, so to cause harm to any citizen of Carthya, or to our land or property, is to harm me. From now on, there will be an oath of peace between us. All pirates must renew their oaths or be expelled.”
Erick shook his head in protest. “They’ll never agree.”
“You’ll make them agree. Tell them if they get bored, then they can always disturb the peace of my enemies. Now go, Erick, get me their oaths.”
He stood to leave, then hesitated and said, “Gregor wants to see you.”
“But I don’t want to see him.” Even the thought of it was nauseating.
“He said to remind you that despite his crimes, he did keep your princess safe and he thinks that’s worth a few minutes of your time.”
I closed my eyes to rest them and mumbled, “Very well, then.”
When Erick left, I looked over to Fink. “What do you want? Not to stay here, I’d guess.”
Fink thought for a moment, and then said, “Can I come with you?”
“I’m not sure. You’re pretty annoying.” Then I raised a corner of my mouth. “Yes, I want you to come to Drylliad with me. But you’ll have to give up your plans of being a thief and get a proper education.”
Fink wrinkled his nose. “Education?”
“Yes. And learn a few manners. I can’t decide which you need more. My friend Tobias will teach you, and if you give him any trouble, I’ll order him to be twice as boring as usual. Trust me, he can do it.”
“Can I bring my rat?”
“No.” He tilted his head, but I tightened my stare at him. “No.”
Reluctantly, Fink agreed; then, with heavy eyes, I looked at Roden. “Am I safe under your watch?”
“You’re safe,” Roden assured me as I drifted off.
I didn’t sleep as well after that. A new pain had formed in my leg and I lay half-awake and half-submerged in nightmares that kept the pain fresh. Still, I preferred that to being awoken some time later with the news that Erick had brought Gregor to see me.
Roden helped me into a sitting position, which made my head swim with dizziness. I knew I looked bad, but I refused to look like an invalid.
Erick escorted Gregor in, his hands tied behind him and his clothing stripped of decoration. He gave me a quick appraisal, then began, “Jaron —”
“You’ll address me by my title,” I said sharply. “And bow until your pointed chin scrapes the floor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He didn’t quite make it to the floor, but did put in a fair effort.
“If you hope to convince me of your innocence, then you’re wasting my time.”
“No, Your Majesty. I ask only for the same mercy you extended to Master Conner. Please take me back to Drylliad with you. The pirates —”
“The pirates can’t be that bad. After all, you were happy to ask their help in killing me.”
Gregor’s teeth were gritted so tightly together I wondered if his jaw had stopped working. “I had my reasons.”