The Lady Grace Part 1
Ghost ships weren’t rare in the Kingdom of Malakanth. But The Lady Grace? She was different.
"What did you say the girl’s name was again?" Isaac asked as we walked along the cobbled lane, the sea breeze cool against my face.
"Karis," I answered. "Karis Maillon. She had just graduated from the Belinosh Conservatory in Palashia and was sailing home to Listra when she went down with the ship."
"Oh, yeah, that’s right," Isaac said, adjusting his backpack. It held a picnic dinner and a blanket—because apparently, witnessing the dead required refreshments.
"She had a fellow she loved back in Listra, right?" he added. "And she was on her way home to marry him."
I nodded. "Indeed, that’s how the story goes. But Karis left behind a former lover in Palashia. And this fellow? He was a wizard—a jealous one."
Isaac arched a brow.
"He hired a ship of his own," I continued, "tracked down The Lady Grace just off the northern coast—right where we’re headed. Then, he summoned a storm that dragged her to the bottom of the sea, taking everyone with her."
I let that sink in for a moment before adding, "The envious wizard prevailed, and the memory of it endures—in ghostly form—for all to see. Including us. Tonight’s the night."
Isaac let out a low whistle. "Poor girl."
"Maybe," I mused. "Or maybe not. If I recall correctly, the wizard—Malrikar—had a right to be jealous."
Isaac shot me a look. "You think Karis was playing the field?"
I shrugged. "Perhaps. Girls do get burned when they do such things."
"Or drowned," Isaac added dryly.
"There’s that, too." I chuckled.
"But no matter. Karis’s ghost sets sail again this evening—for you, me, and anyone else who cares to attend."
I glanced ahead toward the cliffs, where lanterns flickered in the growing twilight.
"And by the looks of things," I added, "she’ll have quite an audience."
A large carriage rattled past us, heading toward the coastline as if on cue.
We’d seen plenty like it on our way north from Dowling that afternoon—extravagant, polished, and pulled by teams of sleek, well-bred horses. These weren’t ordinary travelers. They were the wealthy and the powerful, coming up from Caer Bethan’s port to witness The Lady Grace sail through the mist.
Many were rich enough to own their own ships, yet here they were, making the overland journey just like us—five leagues just for a glimpse of a ghost.
I eyed the small banner snapping in the wind atop the carriage that had just passed. Yellow on the bottom, blue on top. An ax, sword, and spear running across it.
I frowned. "What flag is that?"
Isaac stopped beside the lane, watching as the banner disappeared into the distance.
"It’s the Flag of Calipsis," he said.
"Oh?" I turned, curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, there’s a flag just like that flying above the Citadel of Laeron Madrin. A massive one," Isaac said. "I saw a drawing of it in a book Miss Nyomi let me borrow. It flies beside the King of Malakanth’s Lion Banner and the League’s battle standard."
I glanced at him, impressed. "Tell me more."
Isaac blinked. "About what?"
I smirked. "The flag, silly. Well done. But be warned—you’re running the risk of becoming more than just some tower of muscle with blond hair and blue eyes. Just so you know."
Isaac laughed. "I don’t know what to say." He shrugged, still grinning.
I narrowed my eyes. "Did you read the book you borrowed from Nyomi? Or just look at the pretty pictures?"
"No, I read it," he said quickly.
I planted my hands on my hips.
"Then give me some more facts, lover! What else do you know? Tell me something about that flag, Calipsis, or the warts on the King of Liesz’s hairy backside—anything! Don’t quit now, you’re on a roll!"
Isaac chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, there is one thing. You know how the bottom of the flag was yellow? And the top was blue?"
"I do."
"The book said the yellow symbolizes a flowing wheat field," he explained. "And the blue represents the sky overhead. I guess they grow a lot of wheat in Calipsis."
I nodded. "I’m sure they do. And thank you for teaching me that."
Grinning, I punched his bicep—hard enough to be felt, but just playful enough to make him laugh.
"I might just keep you around after all."
Isaac grinned, but his expression turned more thoughtful.
"Just think about it, Marissa. Those people in that carriage came all the way from Calipsis. They wake up and see the Khalisti Mountains outside their window every morning. And I’m sure they’ve visited the Citadel. I mean, how could they not?"
I shrugged. "They likely have."
Isaac let out a low breath, still staring down the lane toward the coast. "How rich do you think they are to come here from Calipsis? My God, it’s halfway across the world."
"Oh, they’re rich beyond our comprehension," I said, smirking. "I bet their basements are littered with chests of gold and silver, and they’ve probably seen everything Calipsis has to offer."
I turned my gaze toward the cliffs, where the mists of the northern coast swirled.
"But let’s not forget something," I added. "They’ve come all that way, spent all that time and money, just to see something we have right here in our backyard—"The Lady Grace."
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