Suffice it to say, youre going to want to keep an eye on this one.
Most hopefully,
Scarlett, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
Year 51, Elantine Dynasty
Its Scarlett again.
Did you get my last letter?
Credit: Bill Mueller
This Growing Season shell be ten and Ill be eleven.
She wont admit it but shed still very much like to see you and your wondrous Caraval players.
I hope thats not why you havent come to Trisda.
Sorry this letter is short, my father will be angry if he catches me writing to you.
I just heard the news and I wanted to send my condolences.
I was very sorry to hear you wont be traveling for a while.
I know its been a few years since I wrote.
I heard you and your players have started performing again.
I actually tried attending with my sister, but were not supposed to leave Trisda.
Sometimes I believe Ill never go farther than the Conquered Isles.
I suppose thats why Ive wanted you and your players to come here so badly.
Its probably futile to ask again, but I do hope youll consider coming.
Year 57, Elantine Dynasty
This will be my final letter.
Im going to be married soon.
So its probably best you and your players dont come to Trisda this year.
Scarlett Dragna
Dear Scarlett Dragna, from the Conquered Isle of Trisda
Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.
I am sorry I cannot bring my players to Trisda.
Were not traveling this year.
just accept the enclosed as a gift.
From the pen of Caraval Master Legend
Chapter Two
Scarletts feelings came in colors even brighter than usual.
The urgent red of burning coals.
The eager green of new grass buds.
The frenzied yellow of a flapping birds feathers.
Hed finally written back.
She read the letter again.
The same seal was watermarked onto the enclosed slips of paper.
This was no prank.
Scarlett plunged down the steps into the barrel room in search of her younger sister.
Oil lamps cast an amber glow over bottles of rum and several freshly filled wooden barrels.
Scarlett heard a moan as she moved past, and she caught bits of heavy breathing as well.
Dona
She choked on the last half of her sisters name.
Tella flashed Scarlett a sloppy grin, all white teeth and swollen lips.
Her honey-blond curls were a mess as well, and her shawl had fallen to the floor.
Did I interrupt something?
Nothing we cant start up again.
Tella giggled, but at least she had the grace to blush a little.
Scar, you know Julian, right?
Lovely seeing you, Scarlett.
Julian smiled, as cool and seductive as a slice of shade in the Hot Season.
Scarlett knew the polite response would be something along the lines of Good to see you, too.
Julian had only been on the isle of Trisda about a month.
Even Scarletts head had turned briefly, but shed known better than to look any longer.
Tella, mind if I pull you away for a moment?
Tella nudged her sisters shoulder playfully.
Thats not what Im talking about.
You know what will happen if Father catches you.
Which is why I dont plan on getting caught.
hey be serious, Scarlett said.
I am being serious.
If Father catches us, Ill just find a way to blame it on you.
Tella gave a tart smile.
But I dont think you came down here to talk about that.
Her eyes dropped to the letter in Scarletts hands.
The address on the envelope lit up with equal luster.
Scarletts sister had always liked beautiful things, like the young man still waiting for her behind the barrels.
But Tella didnt reach out to take this note.
Her hands remained at her sides, as if she wanted nothing to do with it.
Is this another letter from the count?
She spat out the title as if he were the devil.
Scarlett considered defending her fiance, but her sister had already clearly expressed her thoughts on Scarletts engagement.
But wedding a man shed never seen frightened Scarlett far less than the thought of staying on Trisda.
Well, Tella pressed, are you going to tell me what it is, then?
Its not from the count.
Scarlett spoke quietly, not wanting Tellas sailor friend to overhear.
Its from the master of Caraval.
He wrote you back?
Tella snatched the note.
Scarlett pushed her sister back toward the barrels.
Someone might hear you.
Am I not allowed to celebrate now?
Tella retrieved the three slips of paper hidden within the invite.
Lamplight caught their water seals.
Do you see that?
Scarletts name appeared on the other.
The third only contained the wordsAdmit One.
Oh, look, theres more.
Tella squealed as new lines of script appeared on the tickets.
To be used once, to gain entrance into Caraval.
She should have known better than to think, even for a moment, that this could work out.
Maybe if Caraval were in three months, or even three weekssometimeafter she was married.
Leaving before then would be impossibleand far too dangerous.
But look at this years prize, said Tella.
I thought you didnt believe in wishes.
And I thought youd be happier about this, Tella said.
You know people would kill to get their hands on these?
Did you not see the part of the note where he said we need to leave the isle?
No matter how badly Scarlett longed to go to Caraval, she needed to get married even more.
To make it in three days, wed probably have to leave tomorrow.
Why do you think Im so excited?
But Scarlett had learned too well how treacherous it was to hope in something as illusive as a wish.
Were you also drinking rum down here?
Have you forgotten what Father did the last time we tried to leave Trisda?
For a moment she looked like the fragile girl she pretended so hard not to be.
That was two years ago; were smarter now.
We also have more to lose, Scarlett insisted.
It was easier for Tella to brush aside what had happened when theyd attempted to go to Caraval before.
Dont tell me this is because youre afraid it will interfere with your wedding.
Tella gripped the tickets tighter.
Scarlett grabbed them back.
Youre going to crinkle their edges.
And youre avoiding my question, Scarlett.
Is this about your wedding?
Its about not being able to get off the island tomorrow.
We dont even know where this other place is.
Ive never heard of Isla de los Suenos but I know its not one of the Conquered Isles.
I know where it is.
This doesnt concern you.
Scarlett waved him away with her hand.
Julian looked at her strangely, as if a girl had never dismissed him.
Im only trying to help.
Youve never heard of this isle because its not part of the Meridian Empire.
Its not ruled by any of the five Empires.
Julian eyed the third ticket.
Tellas words about people whod kill for the tickets echoed in Scarletts mind.
No, Scarlett said.
Its too dangerous if we get caught.
Everything we do is dangerous.
Well be in trouble if we get caught down here with a boy, Tella said.
Julian looked offended at being referred to as a boy, but Tella went on before he could argue.
Nothing we do is safe.
But this is worth the risk.
You want this even more than I do.
Whatever youve heard about Caraval, it doesnt compare to the reality.
Its more than just a game or a performance.
The Caraval stories she adored as a young girl never felt more real than they did in that moment.
A beautiful, ridiculous fantasy.
And it was best to keep it that way.
Wishes were about as real as unicorns.
Shed never seen any proof that magic existed.
Now it seemed far more likely that her nanas tales were the exaggerations of an old woman.
The only person capable of giving Scarlett or her sister a brand-new life was Scarletts fiance, the count.
Tella, we cant.
The heavy tread of boots followed.
At least three sets.
Scarlett shot a panicked look at her sister.
Tella cursed and quickly made a motion for Julian to hide.
Dont disappear on my account.
Quickly, Scarlett shoved the letters into her dress pocket.
Behind her father, three guards followed his every step.
I dont believe weve met.
Ignoring his daughters, Governor Dragna reached a gloved hand toward Julian.
He wore his plum-colored gloves, the shade of dark bruises and power.
But at least he still had the gloves on.
He was in his mid-forties but hed not let his body turn to fat like other men.
Julian was taller, yet the governor still managed to look down upon him.
It said much about Julians confidence that he didnt hesitate before offering the governor his own, ungloved hand.
Good to meet you, sir.
The men shook hands.
Julian attempted to pull away, but the governor held on tight.
Julian, you must not be from this isle?
This time, Julian did hesitate.
No, sir, Im a sailor.
First mate ofEl Durado Beso.
So, youre only passing through.
We like sailors here.
It helps our economy.
People are willing to pay a lot to dock here, and they spend more money while they visit.
Now, tell me, what did you think of my rum?
He waved his free hand around the barrel room.
I imagine thats what you were down here tasting?
When Julian didnt answer right away the governor pressed harder.
Was it not to your liking?
I mean, yes, sir, Julian corrected.
Everything Ive tried is very good.
I can smell from your breath you werent sipping any rum, said Governor Dragna.
And I know you werent down here playing cards or saying prayers.
So tell me, which of my daughters were you tasting?
Oh, no, sir.
You have it wrong.
Julian shook his head, eyes widening as if he would never do something so dishonorable.
It was Scarlett, Tella broke in.
I came down here and caught them in the act.
No.Scarlett cursed her foolish sister.
Father, shes lying.
It was Tella, not me.
Im the one who caught them.
Tellas face blazed red.
Scarlett, dont lie.
Youll only make this worse.
Father, it was Tella.
Do you think Id really do something like this, weeks before my wedding?
Father, dont listen to her, Tella interrupted.
I heard her whispering about how she thought it would help with her nerves before the wedding.
Thats another lie
Enough!
The governor turned to Julian, whose brown hand was still firmly grasped in his perfumed plum gloves.
My daughters have the bad habit of being dishonest, but Im sure youll be more forthcoming.
Now, tell me, young man, which of my daughters were you down here with?
I think theres been some sort of mistake
I dont make mistakes.
Governor Dragna cut him off.
Julians eyes darted to Tella.
With a sharp shake of her head, Tella mouthed the name:Scarlett.
He no doubt believed he was doing Tella a favor, when he was doing quite the opposite.
The governor released Julian, and removed his perfumed plum gloves.
I warned you about this, he said to Scarlett.
You know what happens when you disobey.
Father, kindly, it was only a very brief kiss.
For it wasnt Scarlett who would be punished for this crime.
Every time Scarlett or her sister disobeyed, Governor Dragna did something awful to the other as punishment.
Im the one to blame!
Scarlett screameda mistake she knew better than to make.
Her father struck Tella once more.
For lying, he said.
Satisfied, Governor Dragna stepped back.
He wiped the blood from his hand on one of his guards vests.
Then he turned to Scarlett.
Somehow he appeared taller than before, while Scarlett felt as if she had wilted in size.
There was nothing her father could do that hurt her more than watching him hit her sister.
Dont disappoint me again.
Im sorry, Father.
I made a foolish mistake.
It was the truest thing shed said all morning.
I wont repeat it.
I hope you mean that.
The governor put his gloves back on, then reached into his frockcoat and retrieved a folded letter.
Your wedding will be ten days from today, at the end of next week, on the twentieth.
If anything gets in the way of it, more than your sisters face will bleed.
