“Endre tells me you’re concerned about your Trial,” King Torvald said.He was a big man, dwarfing the porcelain cups as he poured tea and passed it to Bastion.When he sat back, his visage was more fatherly than kingly.
“Actually, Your Majesty, this is about Moonwatch.”The king's brow rose, and he glanced at the box.“But before we get to that, I was hoping we could discuss Rowan.”
Torvald’s eyes slid to the queen.He nodded and sipped his tea.
“Haddrick, Rowan’s father, was instrumental in making sure Ulla and I escapedThe Basilisk, and he paid for it with his life,” Bastion said.He took a deep breath, quieting the grief and guilt that continued to lurk in the back of his mind.“I want to ensure Rowan has a future.”
The king’s beard twitched as a small smile curved his lips.
“Lady Nesrin and Lord Lawrence relayed similar requests.I will ensure he’s well cared for.”
Relief burned hot in Bastion’s eyes.He could do for Rowan what someone had once done for him.He blinked back the tears he was certain everyone saw and nodded.Somehow, he managed to convey his gratitude with a steady voice.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.He’s a bright boy who has already shown great courage in the face of terrible things.”
“I count us lucky to have him,” King Torvald rumbled.“Now, about Moonwatch.”
Bastion cleared his throat.His relief vanished, and he tugged his doublet, suddenly claustrophobic and sweaty.Before he could begin, the door opened, and Endre breezed in with a man whose elegance was only overshadowed by his severity.
“My apologies,” Endre breathed with a bow.“I thought it prudent to include Lord Valin.”
A slight wrinkle across the spymaster’s nose disappeared when he saw who was in the room, and he bowed.Bastion frowned.His audience with the king was getting less and less private.
“Your Majesties,” Lord Valin said.“Forgive the intrusion.I was unaware you were meeting this morning.”
“As it should be, Valin,” the queen mother groused.“Stand somewhere I can see you.”
“Grandmama,” Endre scolded.
“Oh, hush, you,” she said.“I’m allowed to dislike the man.”
Lord Valin smiled.“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
He strode past the king to the window behind a handsome desk deeper in the room.Queen Mother Isla glared after him.Endre took up a post behind the queen's chair and gave Bastion a smile that mirrored the one his mother had given him earlier.
The king motioned for Bastion to begin.
“I have information that pertains to who attacked Moonwatch and what they were after,” Bastion said.“Please, keep silent.”
The king arched a brow but nodded, and Bastion opened the box between them.At the window, Lord Valin turned to face them.His eyes caught on the box for the first time, and he stilled, like it was a coiled snake.
Bastion unwound the length of raw wool muffling the pendant and showed the pendant to each of them.Then, he bundled it back up and enclosed it in the box.
“From what I observed,” Bastion continued, “I believe the pirates were using it–and others like it–to communicate.”
With his elbow propped on the arm of his chair, the king stroked his beard.Bastion had seen Endre make the very same gesture when he was considering a thing.Behind the ladies, the fire crackled and punctuated the silence.
“If what you say is true, then there are greater dangers here,” Torvald said.
“Yes.”
“Hmm,” the king intoned, still stroking his beard.Then he lifted his eyes to Bastion’s.“You know that the Acari possess no magic?”
Bastion was slow to respond, doing his best to keep a note of disbelief out of his voice.“I am aware, Your Majesty.”
“Still, such jewelry is jealously guarded.It seems unusual to find such pieces in the hands of pirates,” Torvald mused.
“How many of these pendants did you see?”Valin asked.
