Toshie opened her eyes.

  “Seems like we’ve docked,” Sally said, rubbing her eyes and hopping out of the hammock. She pulled Yrlith out of her hammock, spun her around, and hugged her.

  “Please. I’m still sleepy,” Yrlith said through a yawn. Sally gave her a big kiss and laughed. Toshie chuckled to herself. She loved those two.

  “Need help, Brot?” she said, going to his hammock. It was empty.

  “Guess he went to help ‘Master Navarin’.” Sally blew raspberries.

  “Eh, not the worst thing to have one of us on her good side,” Toshie said as she gathered her things.

  “I mean, don’t you have fantasy stories in this world?” Toshie finished putting her bedroll in her bag. “She’s the loner type. Bad girl with a tough exterior but a sweet soul who will make the right choice at a pivotal moment.” Ugh, who’s the nerd now, Toshie thought to herself.

  “Or, your classic bitch,” Sally said with a yawn.

  “Another strong possibility.” Toshie laughed.

  “Hey, Stonegate didn’t burn down!” Toshie said to Sally as they were unloading the ship.

  “Did you want it to?” Sally asked as she picked up five boxes in an attempt to finish sooner.

  “No. Nothing in this journey has gone according to plan. I figured something bad had to happen.”

  “You should try to be more positive,” Brot said with a smile.

  Sally stumbled, and one box fell off the top of her pile.

  crash

  The lid flew open, and a pink fruit rolled out. It looked like an orange. Toshie picked it up. It smelled like an orange.

  “What is this?” she asked.

  “Ah, a pinkfruit!” Brot exclaimed. “Be gentle with that. They are quite expensive.”

  “What? We transported fancy fruit?” Sally was disappointed.

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  “Not everything is a big conspiracy,” said Navarin. “Now, be careful, or you’ll be forced to pay for it.”

  “Me? I thought their contract was with you?” Sally put down the other boxes and helped Brot place the fruit back into its box.

  “Why must you be such a troublemaker?” Navarin sighed.

  “I’m a spoiled Princess, I suppose,” Sally laughed. Suddenly, her face became serious.

  “A dead Princess. Yrlith, please.”

  Yrlith focused for a second, and Sally was again in her old woman form.

  “I’m not sure what your plan is, Navi, but we’ve got a good day of travel here to the castle if we go by foot. And I think I speak for everyone when I say I’d prefer to eat first.”

  “Fine,” said Navarin. “Although we shall rent a carriage. It’s safer that way. Especially with what I assume are slow walkers.”

  “She’s calling us fat,” Toshie whispered to Yrlith. She laughed, and Navarin glared at them.

  “Something you’d like to share with me?”

  “We’re talking about what we want for dinner. Hey Sally, do you think we can go back to that place we stayed? I’m in the mood for some of those green eggs.”

  “Yeah, let’s do that. It’s cheap enough that Master Navarin won’t complain,” Sally said as she wobbled toward the inn.

  Navarin sighed.

  “If we hire a carriage now, we should be able to make it to the castle by morning,” Sally said as she finished her drink. She smiled as she slammed down the mug, her cheeks glowing red. Toshie hoped Yrlith could keep a drunk Sally in check.

  “Let’s go,” Navarin stood, tossed some coins on the table and walked off. “No more dawdling.”

  Sally rolled her eyes and began moving her mouth mockingly at Navarin’s back. Toshie and Yrlith stifled their laughter, coughed, and stood up. Brot looked confused.

  “Were you trying to say something, Master Tuna—”

  Yrlith covered his mouth.

  “Lady Starshine was doing nothing, dear Brot,” Yrlith said. “And it’s best not to disturb the old lady.”

  Brot took a moment. “Ah, of course! Lady Starshine must be careful.” He winked again.

  “Little less mustard, Brot,” Toshie said as she picked up her bag.

  “Where is there mustard?”

  “Never mind, let’s go,” Toshie walked out, and Yrlith helped Lady Starshine hobble to the exit. Brot examined his shirt for mustard.

  “Brot! Come on!” yelled Toshie.

  “Yes, yes, Master Toshie!”

  They found a stable and rented a carriage. Toshie was surprised to see a Pinkus would pull it.

  “I had one of those explode all over me not even an hour after I came to this world!”

  Navarin looked at Toshie as if she had slapped her across the face. “Well, uh, congratulations? Don’t make this one explode, or you’ll pay for it.”

  “I mean, a wild one attacked me. I didn’t realize they were domesticated as well.”

  Sally, er, Lady Starshine scratched the Pinkus behind its floppy ear. “They’re not too bad if you raise them from youth. Much sturdier than horses. Wild Pinkuses, though, are dangerous. But they also lay the eggs you are so fond of.”

  Toshie tried not to vomit.

  “Enough prattling. Get into the carriage. I’ll handle the driving.” Navarin climbed into the driver’s seat and stared at the four still playing with the Pinkus. “Now.”

  “You have to start having fun, Navarin. Life’s too short,” the old woman said as she moved to get into the carriage. Yrlith helped her and Brot. Toshie took one last look around Stonegate and wondered if she’d ever see this port town again. She had this ominous feeling she couldn’t let go of. She hoped it was gas.

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