The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

window.’
    I tried again.
    â€˜I – I have this.’ I brought the crumpled note from mypocket. ‘It’s from Lupe.’
    All the men seemed to hold their breath.
    â€˜Is this a joke, boy?’ rumbled a low, considered voice.
    For one wild moment, I thought it might be Da, but when the crowd parted it was the Governor himself. My throat constricted, and my heart beat so loudly in my ears I was sure he would hear it.
    He was sitting at the head of the ornate table, papers spread before him, face as thunder-dark as his house. He stood up and I hurriedly dropped my head. Only days before I had sat opposite him in his carriage. I was counting on the fact that he had barely deigned to look at me in those tense minutes.
    â€˜I said, is this a trick, boy?’
    â€˜N-no.’
    â€˜Why would my daughter be writing to you?’ The voice was low and close now. The newly cropped hairs at the back of my neck lifted. Again I focused on the bunch of keys at his belt, glinting silver and gold. ‘And not to me? Look at me when I’m speaking to you.’
    I did. For a painful second, I thought I saw a glimmer of recognition in his black eyes, but it was gone in an instant. I held out the note.
    The Governor scrutinized it, then looked up, eyes narrowed. ‘Why would my daughter be writing to you?’ he repeated.
    â€˜She sent it to my sister. Isabella.’ I didn’t think the Governor would like Lupe being friends with a boy. ‘They’refriends. From school,’ I said, deciding to stick as close to the truth as possible.
    â€˜And did she give this to you herself?’
    â€˜No,’ I said. ‘Yes. I mean – she left it for us to find. I came straight here when I did.’
    â€˜Are you sure this is not fake?’ said someone pompously. ‘Why would your daughter tell this boy’s sister, and no one else?’
    â€˜Who are you?’ said Governor Adori, slowly, ignoring the man.
    â€˜Gabo Riosse. I’m the cartographer’s son.’
    Governor Adori raised his eyebrows. ‘A man with ideas above his station.’
    â€˜His thoughts are very low at the moment,’ quipped another man. ‘Down in the Dédalo.’
    The laughter spread again. I kept my eyes on Governor Adori. He was looking at the note, considering.
    â€˜It is not a fake,’ he said decisively. ‘Which means my daughter at least left willingly. That is something to be thankful for. But we have wasted enough time talking. How many horses did you collect, Vasquez?’
    â€˜Nine,’ said Vasquez.
    â€˜Nine?’ the Governor roared. ‘Nine is not nearly enough! My daughter is missing, I need a large search party—’
    â€˜Sir,’ said Vasquez carefully. ‘That is all we have. The others… the harbour. They all belonged to you.’
    Adori began pacing back and forth like a caged animal, flexing his fists and muttering to himself. Finally he said,‘Well. Nine men it is.’
    â€˜We will need to take the horse boy, they’re all still spooked.’ I flinched. It was the man who had taken Da. ‘Don’t know what’s got into the beasts.’
    Pablo. My chest loosened slightly at the thought of seeing him.
    Governor Adori smacked his hand against the wall. ‘Enough problems! What do you not understand, Marquez? My daughter is gone!’
    My chest ached for Cata, gone for ever.
    â€˜And this boy’s father,’ said Vasquez coolly. He seemed used to the Governor’s rages. ‘Can’t leave without a navigator. We’ll need to find water, maybe shelter. Know where to avoid…’
    I took a deep breath, thought quickly. Da could not go to the Forgotten Territories. He would never be able to ride with his bad leg.
    â€˜I thought you might say that, sir. I brought his cartography tools.’ I held up the satchel.
    â€˜That cripple? On a horse?’ sneered Marquez. I was happy