Jucai held his hand out for Lafei's notebook. “Send for a ward monitor.”
“Yes, sire.” Lafei bowed. “Will the southern meeting room do?”
“Yes, and send for my advisers.”
“Yes, sire.”
Jucai took my hand and led me out of the throne room, through the palace corridors, to a long room with tall windows running along one wall. Faux light shone through the windows to form bright rectangles atop the oak table. We went to the far end, and Jucai sat down at the head of the table, motioning first to the seat on his left.
“Whatever is interfering with magic has affected the entire city.” I sat down.
“Yes.” Jucai stared out a window.
“It would need a central location.”
“Yes, especially since it didn't seem to disturb the dome.”
I flinched. “I hadn't thought of that.”
He looked at me. “I won't know for sure until I speak with a ward monitor, but I suspect it hasn't touched the ward. There are alarms that go off when our air supply lowers or the ward malfunctions. That means, it's either targeting specific magic, in a central position and ranged outward rather than upward, or both.”
“What type of magic does the ward function on?”
“Mainly Air Magic with a touch of Water.”
“I don't recall any reports of failing enchantments powered by Water or Air Magic, do you?”
Jucai considered this. “Mostly Fire Magic.” Then he straightened in his seat. “No, not mostly.Onlyenchantments powered by Fire Magic failed—lights, ovens, heaters.”
“Fire Magic,” I mused. “None of your undersea races have that.”
The Sea King sat back in his chair. “No, they don't. Which would lead us to suspect land folks.”
“Specifically, Land Dragons.” I leaned closer. “Jucai, this must be the same group that's behind the attack on the Blue Heron. It has to be. They're making another attempt at destroying the budding relationship between our kingdoms.”
“Who is trying to destroy it?” a man asked.
We looked toward the doorway.
Two men stood at the far end of the room with a woman between them. All of them were Sea Dragons and dressed in silk, with intricately braided hair.
“Lord Tsukang, Lady Sulai, Lord Yao, this is Lord Nadar. Nadar, these are my advisers. Please join us.” Jucai motioned to the seats on our side of the table. “You've heard of the attack on the ship bound for Zaru and the attack on Lord Nadar. Now enchantments are failing all over the city. Enchantments powered by Fire Magic. I believe someone is trying to stop our kingdom from forming an alliance with Zaru. They tried toframe us in the ship attack, attempted to murder Lord Nadar, and now they're trying to frame Land Dragons for attacking Kansu’s magic.”
The King's Advisers took seats near us, all with worried expressions.
A Gashi in a blue uniform came in. “Sire, you called for a ward monitor?”
“Yes, have you noticed anything strange with the city ward? Has it malfunctioned at all?”
“No, Your Majesty. It's been as quiet as always. I just did my morning check, and all was well.”
“Thank you, that's all.”
“Your Majesty.” The man bowed and left.
“So, enchantments are failing except for the ward,” Lady Sulai said.
“The ward uses Air and Water Magic, so it wouldn't be affected,” Lord Yao said. He looked at Jucai. “Your Majesty, have you noticed where the enchantments are failing? Are they in specific areas?”
