Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene LXXXIV

The ship's boy swept back the large leafy branches that hid the Coo-Cal, in the cove where he and Essen had left it. The faint specks of daubed green paint still just about visible: a faded make-up from more optimistic days. Liofia instantly felt a liking for it. Its pleasantly curved form and cute size giving an air of tropical escape. Though, sadly, she herself wouldn't be sailing on it. Her passage would be on one of the larger ships, that were now sat eager in the beachy Eldersway harbour.

"We'll sail out first on this, with a small team, to lead the way. Then the other ships can follow," stated the ship's boy.

"Then what?" asked Liofia, hungry for further preparation.

"I've asked about crossing the desert - both the king and Prince Estorie - but they didn't give answers. Aralak came from beneath the ground, so, I agree, there must be tunnels, but I don't know how we'll find them."

"The Palace of the Three Deserts should be the key," surmised Liofia, with an instinctive confidence. "It's where the consul appointed by the King of Tunid sits. So if there is a route, it may be somewhere near there."

The little monkey, bored with the conversation, jumped up and clambered onto the boat. This time almost knowing where it would be heading.

"I do recall once being told by Prince Aralak that he was heading to the Upper Desert," pressed Liofia, fixing her hair with her hands as she spoke. "Not long before he was killed ..and that's where the palace is."

She then tied her hair back into a long ponytail, before fixing it up into a bunch behind her head. As if streamlining herself for the coming ocean voyage. The young boy, with his cropped her, standing a good few inches shorter. Now clearly second in command to her lead.

"It's unlikely the Tunidan guards will give up their secrets," he noted with hesitation. Not quite having her wilfulness. "They'd rather die than fail in their duty."

"I have a feeling we'll find it," smiled Liofia. The memories of how far she'd travelled since her cloistered days at Castle Tori bringing an added conviction. "We'll storm the palace if we have to."