Free The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy Page A

Ursula stuck to wine but seemed amused to sit by and watch, nodding absently when I excused myself.
    When I awoke, easily an hour or two past my usual rising time, I wasn’t surprised to find a page waiting, asking me to attend Ursula in her chambers as soon as I’d had my tea. Feeling more than a little abashed and lazy at sleeping so long, I pulled myself together with a quick wash in the handbasin while my tea brewed, then took the pot with me. Ursula liked the same blend, one from Nebeltfens.
    I found her at her desk, surrounded by scrolls and various missives, and filled her empty cup. She looked remarkably bright-eyed considering she must have stayed up far later than I. Since Harlan’s advent she seemed to sleep far more and better. All those years of short nights and restless pacing had probably made her more tolerant of lost sleep, and getting more rest these days improved her resilience enviably.
    â€œWhere is Captain Harlan?” I asked.
    She made a face. “Passed out sometime before dawn. Can’t you hear him? Listen a moment.”
    A rattle, something between an angry bear and thunder, echoed through the closed door to her sleeping chambers just then. “Goddesses,” I whispered.
    She grinned in fond amusement. “I don’t know how I sleep through it, but I do. And you don’t need to whisper—he’s like the dead. It’s rare for him not to notice I’ve gotten up, and it’s been hours. If not for the snoring, I’d be concerned.”
    â€œI’m sorry I overslept.”
    â€œDon’t be. You needed it, too. I’ve been for my workout, tended to some business, had one pot of tea, and am happy to share another. I’m glad Harlan is still sleeping so you and I can discuss next steps in private.”
    I got out my notes. “So, you’ll want to determine what supplies we can—”
    â€œNot about that,” she interrupted. “Yes, we’ll have to determine that, but I’ve already talked to Lise and set a few people to work on deciding what we can spare most easily. Thank Danu for Groningen’s largesse. Later today, I’ll get Harlan to interview Kral—sober, preferably—on exactly what the Nahanauns will need most and how best to negotiate with this King Nakoa KauPo. Zynda has already left for Annfwn. She’ll explain the situation to Andi and come straight back, hopefully by this evening.”
    â€œYou have been busy this morning. We both know the fastest way to Nahanau would be through Annfwn.”
    She was already shaking her head. “No way in the Twelve—Thirteen—am I letting Kral get a look at Annfwn’s bounty, even if I wasn’t sure Rayfe would have my head for it. No, Kral’s ship is in Ehas, so you’ll travel there and sail around the Crane Isthmus, taking the most important emergency supplies, with our ships following behind later with the less critical. Depending on Andi’s reply, she can either meet you there from Annfwn, as she can probably shift into a fish or some such and swim there, or she might be able to control the barrier from the Heart and assist with sending you through from a distance.”
    I’d been taking notes as she talked. Paused. “‘You’? As in . . . me?”
    â€œI want you to go with them, Dafne.”
    I felt myself gaping at her, my brain clearly not awake enough. Picking up my teacup, I drank deeply, willing the kick to penetrate to my mind along with the warmth. “You want me to go to Nahanau?”
    â€œYes,” she said, laying her palms flat on the desk. “And from there to Dasnaria.”
    â€œBut . . . I—I can’t .”
    She held up a hand. “Hear me out. If you find a flaw in my logic, I’ll reconsider.” She stood and started pacing. “This is what I’m thinking. I need someone to smooth the way with this King Nakoa KauPo. Kral told me more last night,