CHAPTER 9

    The three Viyah Islands were situated at the western edge of the territory ruled by Simaron. Ships sailed from Van Noh Viyah towards the motherland. Wolfram asked himself how far this trip was meant to go -- presumably they all had the same goal.

    At long last, Wolfram loosened his right fist. Inside lay the small shell design, moist with his sweat and half burned to black. Perhaps Gisela needed this object more than he himself did.

    "This cuff link belonged to Conrad," he said.

    "It''s from his arm?"

    "Yes. If you''d like to have it..."

    Gisela took it between her fingertips, lifted it up to the light, and examined its shape. Then she laid it back in the hand of the younger brother.

    "I think you are laboring under a misunderstanding, Your Excellency," she laughed joyfully, which she hadn''t done for a very long time.

    "Misunderstanding?"

    "You surely think I have a certain kind of feelings for His Excellency Conrad, isn''t that so?"

    "Am I wrong then?"

    She swung herself light-footedly into the saddle and rode ahead.

    "I once gave a promise to a friend of mine that I want to make good on now. That''s all."

    Who was this friend supposed to be? And what kind of a promise? She surely didn''t mean Yuri -- or did she?

    Wolfram snatched the horse from a soldier who had been heading for the stables, and rode after the traveling party.