He has not.

The rowboat was soon made fast against the hull of the Sea Witch and Akhbar and his crewmen climbed the rope ladder up onto the deck. The Sorceress, alerted by the shouts came hurrying from the cabins with Honey trailing in her wake.

"The herb, you have it?" The witch demanded breathlessly.

"Ahh, not as such." Captain Akhbar said regretfully. "But do not despair just yet. My men and I enquired of the ingredient with every herbalist and hedge wizard in Ayodhya, but everyone gave us the same answer. Every last peck of the herb you seek had been bought in recent days by the agents of Prince Krondar. For what purpose none could say."

"Prince Krondar?" The Sorceress frowned, seeming to recognise the name although it meant nothing to the Akkadian. "That dabbling fool who surrounds himself with charlatans and frauds with little enough arcane power to blow a cap from a mans head. What use could he have for the herb?"

"As I said none we spoke to knew his reason for buying the herb. Only that his agents were intent on obtaining all that was within Ayodhya." Akhbar repeated. "We had almost given up our search to return to the ship when the Prince's seneschal came searching for us. The Prince had gained word of our search and we were summoned to Krondar's palace. The Prince knew for whom we were employed and proposed that a quantity of the herb he might be willing to trade if you could offer something of value in it's place."

"What does that fool want in exchange?" The Sorceress asked in exasperation.

"Alas, he would not divulge his wishes to me." Captain Akhbar apologised. "He claimed that such negotiations were only possible face to face with you yourself and that one such as I, unschooled in the magical arts could not comprehend the issues involved or the value of such things."

"The arrogance of the man." The Sorceress snorted. "To speak as though his petty dabblings in the art made him my equal. Still if needs must I shall meet with him and flatter his inflated ego sufficiently. A handful of magical trinkets should suffice to procure the herb. Without the knowledge that few possess the uses for it are banal and limited."

"Palanquins will await you upon the dock within the hour." Akhbar revealed. "The Prince has invited a party numbering four to his palace. I thought perhaps myself and Barbra Rosa might accompany you as the best swords the Sea Witch can offer as protection."

"Agreed." The Sorceress said absently. "Though the magic I can wield will be a far greater protection than mere steel. Minaja will make up the fourth to complete the delegation. It would be unseemly for me not to have my own handmaid in attendance."

With the party to meet with Prince Krondar agreed upon Captain Akhbar bowed and stating that he needed to change into finery befitting the palace he made his way to the cabins. Barbra Rosa too said that she should change for such a meeting before leaving for her own cabin.

"We must dress accordingly too Minaja." The Sorceress informed the Akkadian. "Vendhyan's have a rather rigid dress code for women, but I have apprpriate clothing for the both of us. Let us prepare ourselves whilst I instruct you somewhat in their customs so not to offend the pompous Princeling."