Jaron stood on the deck of the Shadow Tide, watching the coast of Belland as it grew closer. He thought over the previous days with a frown. He had been overjoyed to return to Carthya with Darius, but he had agreed to turn the throne over to him. It was his birthright, after all. Darius had been crowned king by Kerwyn in the Great Hall, and Jaron had found himself suddenly without a purpose. What was even worse was that he was beginning to realize that he would never agree with Darius in politics, just as he had never agreed with their father's. Darius was already beginning to write new treaties to cement peace with Gelyn. Jaron knew this would be interpreted as a sign of weakness. They had already argued over it, and Jaron was forced to face the fact that he could not watch what he was doing. He would be forced to leave his home.

Jaron and Imogen discussed it privately. She understood his dilemma and suggested going to Belland, since he had been told he would always be welcome there. He reluctantly agreed to consider it, although he still wished for something to change so he could stay in the castle. Then what happened a few days later cemented his plans. Tobias and Roden were called to join Darius for a meeting, and Jaron joined them. He knew something bad was brewing.

Tobias and Roden stood before the throne, and Jaron watched from the side. Darius ordered, "Tobias, you are to pack your bags. I want you to depart from the castle by tomorrow night."

Tobias's face fell as he bowed. "Yes, my king."

"You are dismissed." Tobias left, and Jaron noted that he did not seem very surprised by the order, as if he had expected it. Darius turned to Roden. "Roden, you are relieved of your duties as captain of the guard."

Roden protested, "But I have served King Jaron and Carthya faithfully!"

"And you did that by joining the pirates? And then joining the Prozarians?"

"I had no choice!"

"I need someone I can trust to be captain. You are to vacate your quarters immediately and seek somewhere else to work."

Roden's glare was poisonous, but he bowed and left. Then Jaron started forward, temper warming. He demanded, "Why did you do that?"

"I don't trust them, and I don[t want them here. Tobias is a commoner, and Roden is a pirate!"

Jaron argued, "That may be true, but they are also a regent and a captain of the guard! You cannot dismiss them so easily!"

Darius asked, "Am I king?"

Jaron sighed and answered. "Yes. Who are you appointing as your new captain?"

"I was thinking of you."

Jaron shook his head. "I don't want to be captain."

"But you would be brilliant at it! There are no better swordsmen than you. Why don't you accept the position?"

"Because I am leaving for Belland." Then he added suddenly, "Tomorrow."

Darius shook his head. "What? Why?"

"I was invited by the Bellanders to return, and I am accepting the invitation." Because his place had been taken from him.

Darius had tried to persuade him to stay, but Jaron's mind was made up. He gathered his belongings, and the next day, after saying goodbye to everyone, was on the Shadow Tide with his pirates on course for Belland. Of course Imogen was there, and Tobias, Amarinda, and Roden had been persuaded to come as well. It was not a merry trip. Roden was brooding, and Tobias and Amarinda had much to discuss. Imogen was occupied with trying to comfort Jaron, who had many things on his mind. The only person happy was Fink, because he clearly considered this a vacation.

Now Jaron watched the shore draw closer. Imogen joined him. "We're almost there," she said. "I'll be happy to get off this ship."

Jaron nodded. "Once I get off, I'm going to take a long walk and enjoy the feeling of firm ground."

"What else will you do?"

He smiled wryly as he stared across the water. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't know who I am anymore. I'm not a king, and I'm not sure who I am outside that."

"You will always be my king," she said.

"And mine," Tobias said as he approached with Amarinda.

"And mine," Roden added, as Fink bounced beside him.

Teagut joined and said, "As well as ours."

Jaron smiled at the sight of his closest friends and the pirates nodding in agreement. Imogen asked, "What now, my king?"

He said, "Let's go meet our next adventure."

Darius stood in front of the window and stared out. He rocked back on his heels nervously. He had dreamed of the day he would finally return to Carthya, but now that he was here, nothing had gone smoothly. His beloved Amarinda had left him for Tobias. Then Jaron had left a month ago. Darius had desperately wanted him as his new captain of the guard so he could be close to him. But Jaron chose to return to Belland with his band of terrible friends and cutthroat pirates. He swallowed, feeling terribly alone. Even Trea, the one person who had stood beside him, had left.

He was especially concerned by the Carthyans' response to his return. They had been excited at first, but now it was becoming increasingly evident how much they had loved Jaron. They were not pleased by his ascendance to the throne. Some even seemed to think that he had stolen the throne, despite it being his from birth.

Then Kerwyn entered the room. He bowed. "My king."

Darius's heart fell at his somber tone. "What is it, Kerwyn?"

"The Prozarians have returned, and they have allied with Gelyn and Avenia. They are at our borders, making demands."

The Prozarians and Gelynians had already been hostile toward Carthya, but Avenia worried him. "But King Kippenger allied with Carthya!"

"He allied with Jaron. And we believe Mendenwal may strike as well."

Darius ordered a servant, "Send in Kamet." The servant bowed and fetched the new captain of the guard. He was younger, and a childhood friend whom he trusted. He said, "Gather the troops. I do not want to begin fighting, but I still want them on the border."

Kamet said, "Yes, my king."

Darius ran his hands through his hair as he turned back to Kerwyn. "Let's begin negotiations with the Prozarians. Maybe we can buy peace." Kerwyn did not look pleased.