Una and Ida were glad for the opportunity to saunter through the many markets of Guldhamn. They visited a handful, taking note of the differences between the districts. Close to the walls, there were wood and metal goods, as well as horses and other animals for sale. Further in, the food markets began. Unsurprisingly, the fish market was by the harbour. Near the castle lay the most famous market of them all. It was easy to see why it was dubbed the Crystal Streets.

Sheets of cloth hung between high wooden posts, covering the streets in colourful shadows, reminiscent of crystal glow. Blue cotton cast a cool hue over honey and almonds, while a crisp yellow cloth seeped jewellery in a bath of golden gleam to match. The district surrounding the castle was the most affluent, and the goods on display were luxurious to match. The market spanned several squares and streets, including alleys and even indoor areas. Despite the considerable crowd, it was a tranquil scenery. Vendors did not shout to hawk their wares here. They waited patiently for customers to inspect the goods. The idle chatter and bartering did not manage to drown out the sound of footfalls and cart wheels.

A tantalising smell of mint and honey drew Una and Ida to an especially lavish corner of the market. Linus Guld was there as well, with minimal protection. Edward stood at his back, watching the crowd, and the citizens made a point of keeping their distance. Meeting Guld’s eyes, Ida politely bowed her head.

“Oh look! Saffron!”, Una exclaimed.

Seeing a glass stuffed to the brim with saffron, Ida exhaled in shock. “Wow! We will have to buy some.”

“If it is not too expensive”, Una cautioned.

Ida discussed with the merchant for a moment and decided that pure saffron was too pricey for her taste. She settled for a cup of tea with a hint of saffron, and the two of them found a nearby bench to enjoy it. Una sighed in delight at the sweet and floral drink. Ida took a sip as well and smiled over both ears. She watched the golden liquid slowly settle in the cup.

“What are you thinking?”, Una asked.

“It tastes of home.”

“Yea?”, Una prompted.

Sighing softly, Ida took another sip. “Father and I would drink tea in the mornings. Nothing quite this fine, but still.”

They sat in silence for a while, sipping tea and watching the people walk by.

“Are you going to put him out of his misery or not?”, Una teased.

“What?”, Ida frowned.

Una nodded to the side and Ida turned her head. Glancing back across the yard, she saw Guld still standing there, picking up pieces of jewellery and putting them down again. Edward was carrying a basket of cloth and herbs, but Linus was not focused on his shopping. He was watching Una and Ida from afar.

“You know how men form Eshein are. So timid”, Una continued.

Ida huffed a laugh. “Maybe I will. He is objectively good looking.”

Una hummed in disagreement.

Ida raised her eyebrows. “Really? You do not think he is pretty?”

“Sure. He is pretty, and definitively not my type”, Una shrugged.

“You really have no interest in men?”

“That is not what I said. But I like my partners with a bit more flesh on them.”

“Flesh on them?”, Ida repeated. The description left a bad taste in her mouth.

“You know. Battle trained. A few scars. A rough hand”, Una elaborated.

“So what you are saying is that Thorun is your type”, Ida mocked.

“I like it when they can swing a sword or two. You cannot deny that she is hot”, Una said, a hint of pride ghosting over her face.

“I can. She is scary.”

“And thus hot. He looks like spoiled lapdog”, Una jested, nodding toward Linus.

Sniggering, Ida shook her head. “At least he is cute.” Dropping the smile off her face, she put an arm over her sister’s shoulder. “You do know that Thorun will never settle, though, right?”

“And I will?”, Una scoffed.

“Not?”

“No!”

“You never want to have a home, have children?”

“Absolutely not”, Una stated.

“Since when? You always talked about marrying one of the castle guards”, Ida inquired.

“Eow. That was before I became one. I do not want to be stuck like father. I decided years ago that I was going to travel. Why do you think I trained so hard? To impress father? No. I would have left already if it had not been for this whole quest for the throne stuff.”

“Why is this the first time I hear about this?”

“You never asked”, Una shrugged.

Squeezing her sister lightly, Ida nodded. “I can see it already. The fearsome Una, travelling the land and fucking her way across Sev.”

“Who said I would stay in Sev all my life? You have to experience some different flavours in life. I head there are men across the ocean who have two dicks”, Una grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

Ida burst into laughter. “And you would have use for that how?”

“I will send you one.”

“By Gaia. No”, Ida laughed, waving a hand in front of her face.

Una smiled at her. “So you want that? A house? Three kids? Domestic life?”

“Only three?”, Ida questioned.

Una burst into laughter. “Uh-oh.”

Leaning in close, Ida whispered, “You will have to excuse me now. I have to go see a lapdog about a man.”

Chuckling, Una motioned for her to leave.

After exchanging another knowing look with her little sister, Ida cleared her throat and straightened her back. She strode toward Linus with deliberate slow steps. Stopping further away than she would have if he were a man of Sev, she met his eyes and smiled. She did not bow her head, but instead turned the palm of her right hand up for him to see.

Guld dipped his head every so little. “You honour me with your approach.”

“Guld. Would you care to take a walk with me?”

“I would be happy to”, Linus nodded, placing his hand in hers.

He let her lead him along the streets, walking slowly. Behind them, Edward was following in silence. As soon as they left the crowded main road, Edward gave them a bit more privacy, staying a few strides behind them.

“I am afraid I am not very good at entertaining a woman. I am sorely out of practise”, Guld said.

“No worries. I am quite good at making conversation for two”, Ida jested.

“How fortunate”, Guld smiled.

“How long have you been in Sev?”

“A good ten years, Dear…”, Guld prompted.

“Ida LeaTone”

“Ida”, Linus repeated. “I am Linus Guld”, he added, like an afterthought.

“Linus”, Ida repeated. She made a half-hearted attempt to hide her amusement.

Linus on the other hand allowed himself a chuckle. “You have to excuse my clumsiness. Despite my lengthy stay, I am still not used to the local customs.”

“I can only imagine. It must be difficult for you to live in a foreign country, all on your own.”

“Sometimes, yes. If I am honest, I did not choose to come here. I never did feel quite at home on this side of the ocean. Some days I wish I could go back, but at least today I have a good reason to be here. I assume you were born here?”

Ida shook her head. “No. I was six when we left. Una has an easier time with Sev culture. She was barely born, so she cannot remember ever being elsewhere.”

“What brought you here?”

Ida hesitated. She eased her hold on Linus’s hand. “Una. She does not have a mother.”

Linus’s eyebrows raised in surprise, but he did not let go of Ida’s hand.

“It was not our father’s fault”, Ida added in defence.

Linus nodded, but remained silent.

They rounded another corner and arrived at the harbour. Strolling to the edge of the wooden walkway, Ida looked out over the open sea. The morning fog had dissipated, leaving a clear blue sky. The ocean was shimmering below it in a similar hue. The long arms of the harbour reached for that faint line separating ocean from sky. Guldhamn was the closest point to Eshein, but not even form its huge harbour could you catch a glimpse of the foreign island. Their roots lay several months of sailing south.

“You were born in Eshein as well, correct? And lived there until you came here?”, Ida wondered.

“Quite right”, Guld confirmed.

“I do not remember much except for our house and the training grounds. What it is like?”

“If you ask the sailors, it is full of riches. The streets are plastered with gems rather than stone, and the people drink milk and eat fruit every day”, Linus said. “If you ask me, it is not much different from here.”

Ida laughed at that. “More strict, though.”

“Strict in a different way”, Linus argued.

“Fair enough.”

Turning to face Ida, Linus admitted, “I do not care much for the traditional family.”

Ida tore her gaze from the distant blue and inspected his face. He was tense, but he met her eyes, not wavering for a moment.

“I was sent here in place of my older brother because he left his marriage after arriving in Sev. I was angry at first, but when I confronted him, he cried. I have never seen him cry before, or since. He told me about the way she would mistreat him, make him feel like he was nothing. He showed me his scars, but I doubt they hurt half as much as her words. She tore out a piece of his mind, and never regretted it. What I am trying to say is that I may not know your story, but I do not judge. Your father is clearly a man of skill and wits. He was wise to move across the water after such disgrace.”

“Where is your brother now?”, Ida asked.

“Dead. He served the Crown in Lugnvadn. It was the furthest he could get from Eshein. My guess is, he was hoping to continue to Severn, given the opportunity. After the fall of the Crown, he had to protect the city, and gave his life in doing so. He was no soldier. Neither of us is.”

Ida squeezed Linus’s hand in her own. “I am sorry for your loss.”

Linus forced a smile onto his lips in answer. “If I may be so bold to ask, why did you change your name?”

“I merely adapted it to the local naming tradition. It seemed less obtrusive. Una did the same, though she never met my mother.”

“And your father?”, Guld inquired.

“He shares in the AudOlafsson name. He has served their house with great dedication.”

“An honourable man as well as a wise man”, Guld determined. “I am glad we could talk about this so unreservedly.”

“Me too”, Ida agreed happily. “On that note, I want you to know that you really need not hold back with me. I noticed you watching me form afar. You may approach. We are in Sev now.”

Linus huffed a laugh. “I contemplated if I should dare it. I did not want to be inappropriate toward you. I did not know which tradition you follow.”

“I follow none. Only myself”, Ida declared.

Linus bared his teeth in a broad grin. “I am glad to hear that.” Coming closer, he leaned down. He slowly brought his face closer to Ida’s.

At the very last moment, Ida put up a hand between them. “I am not one to kiss causally”, she warned.

Bowing his head, Linus placed his kiss on her hand instead, “I will do my best to pay court to you, Beautiful Ida.”