Waves lapped at the slick docks as Prince Erich and his entourage, including Ser Andrew Estermont, his guard, and fifty Durrandon men-at-arms, marched across the old wood toward the *Tempest*. The warship’s crew moved about on the deck, preparing her to sail. A rope ladder hung down over the gunwale, which they climbed up one-at-a-time. The process took quite some time.

As the sun broke the horizon the Prince of Storm’s End and his men watched the crew of the *Tempest* nimbly leap over ropes and move this way and that to guide their ship out of his berth and into the open water. A team of crewmen worked at ropes to lower the mainsail, and the wind caught the yellow canvas in moments. Rowers on the port side lowered their oars into the water, helping to turn the ship towards the mouth of the harbor. With the wind at their backs they made good time in passing out into Shipbreaker Bay, now more ominous than it had ever been from the land.

Prince Erich turned to look up at the cliff face upon which sat his home, striding along the deck and up some wooden stairs to the sterncastle, and here stood the captain and Ser Courtnay Massey. They knew the destination well enough, most sailors had made port at the Free Cities at least once or twice. The captain looked out over his crewmen, certainly nervous about their royal passenger.

“Lovely day for sailing,” the Prince said to no one in particular.

Ser Courtnay would be the first to respond. “That it is, my Prince. Rare indeed is the day that Shipbreaker Bay is calm.”

Prince Erich shrugged. “We’ve just had a storm.”

“Sometimes that helps,” Ser Courtnay responded. “Sometimes it riles her up more.”

“Ten degrees a-starboard, lads!” the captain called. “Quickly, now!”

“Rocks beneath the waves,” the Knight of Stonedance explained. “Most of them are mapped out, and those that aren’t can be avoided by the more skilled mariners. Your captain is among them.”

The deft handling of the ship impressed the Storm Prince. “So he is.”

“Twelve days to Lys, my Prince,” the captain announced, turning to face his guests. “Could be a fortnight if the winds are uncooperative.”

“Very well,” Prince Erich replied. “Well done with leaving the harbor.”

“I thank you,” the captain said, bowing his head.

Prince Erich nodded his own head. “Heads up, captain. We’ll need your eyes on the horizon if your talents are to be put to any use.”