The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2)

on the table in the center of the large cabin.
Santino gestured for me to sit down and offered me a plate. “Go on—it’s a Brandorian recipe, you will love it.”
I took the plate and picked up a pastry wrapped like a parcel. I bit into it, and my taste buds exploded. The little pastries were filled with a white salty cheese drizzled with honey and pinenuts, covering a spiced fig center. They were delicious, though a bit too spicy for me.
“These are amazing.” But I didn’t take any more. “How do you have such good food here on the ship?”
“My father insists I take one of the cooks from the citadel with me when I sail.” Santino reached for another one. “Also, Katerina would never eat food cooked by a pirate.” He grinned and passed me another plate, which had slices of meat cooked in an apricot, fig, and almond sauce, and yet another one with flatbreads stuffed with meat. Everything was fantastic. The food from Brandor was so different from what I was used to in Eldoren.
I smiled. “You never answered my question.”
“I’m sure you have heard the stories of my mother being a slave of the Emir of Sanria?” Santino began as we munched on a bowl of rose petal nougat for dessert.
I shook my head, covering my mouth and trying to pick bits of sticky nougat from my teeth.
“Well, she was. My father had many slaves, and I lived in the palace with the other children, half brothers and sisters from various concubines. We were educated and trained with the royals and noble children who lived within the palace grounds.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “My mother died when I was six.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I had a good life and was treated fairly well. But when I turned sixteen I left the palace, wanting to see the world, so I sailed on one of my father’s merchant ships to Eldoren. On the way there, we were caught by pirates. I was put to work on the ship and I learned everything I could, including how to fight. One shipment of the pirates’ cargo was slaves, people from my mother’s tribe in Rohron. I freed them and killed the captain, taking over the ship. Soon I was roaming the seas, and merchants paid me a lot of money to carry goods knowing they would reach land safely. No one wanted to take on the pirate prince, as I had been dubbed.”
“Was that when you went back to Brandor?”
“Yes. My family needed me and I had to return.”
“Because of the civil war?”
Santino nodded. “My elder brother, Alfonso, was the real heir, but when he was killed by the powerful Detori family, I knew I had to return to help my father secure his place on the council.” He got up from his chair. “Brandor is still unstable, and Morgana’s spies have infiltrated many of the ruling families. You must be on your guard at all times when we are in Sanria. Don’t trust anyone.”
I nodded. My trusting days were over.
The next day, the Starfire sailed into the bay of Sanria, Brandor’s wealthiest trading port. Brandon and I stood on the deck watching the massive eastern city come into view, while Santino helped the crew as they bustled about, lowering the sails and preparing the ship to anchor.
There were more ships here than in the bay of Calos. Merchant galleons and passenger ships bobbed on the waves, but there were no Eldorean warships in sight, which was a relief.
From the top deck of the ship I could see the Red Citadel rising above the towering walls. Situated high on a hilly plateau and surrounded by acres of woods, the ancient palace and fortress, the home of the Emir of Sanria, was a magnificent structure.
I had changed out of my tunic and woolen leggings into a plain brown cotton dress that Santino had given me. He handed me a thin veil. “Put this on. Women in our kingdom cover their heads and faces while in public.”
I put on the veil and secured it with a cloth hairband. It was made of a light, gauzy fabric that covered my face and head, but I could still see through it.
A small boat rowed us to shore, and the salty spray of the sea wind blew pleasantly through my veil. The balmy breeze of the eastern coast was a welcome change from the biting chill of the Eldorean winter.
“Travelers and merchants from all over the seven kingdoms come to this city,” said Brandon as we traversed the bustling docks lined with ships unloading their wares and merchants inspecting their most recent acquisitions. “Most people will not pay any attention to foreigners here, but it’s good that Santino made you wear that veil.”
Santino led us to some horses that were waiting for us. There was a palanquin for the ladies, and Katerina, fully veiled, sat down in one almost immediately. I was relieved there was another waiting for me, as sharing with Katerina at this point would have been awkward.
Brandon and Santino rode ahead as we were carried behind them through the crowded streets of the outer town. I moved the curtains of the palanquin aside and peeked out at the passing dockyards, customs houses, street sellers, shops, taverns, and inns along the way. I was fascinated by the innumerable colors of the great, tented open-air markets selling everything from jewelry and precious stones to food and weapons as Brandorians traversed various stalls, looking for the best wares of the day.
The cramped areas and dark, cobbled alleyways gave way to broader roads and avenues flanked by stunning whitewashed mansions and houses of the nobility. They were impressive structures, standing majestically within open courtyards and gardens alive with fruit orchards.
Soon we came onto the main avenue that led to the emir’s palace on the hill, lined by huge cypress trees. The Brandorian stronghold was not only a palace but also an ancient