“Good.”Her robes rustled as she settled back.“We have each admitted to the other of our own…vulnerabilities.That is a basis for mutual trust, perhaps.”
Well, that seemed a bit premature—
“Look at me,” Queen Satia commanded.
Riven raised his eyes and met hers full on.He was startled to find them open, honest, and concerned.
She took a breath.“Avice,” she said.
Avice produced a box, wooden and worn, that had once been stained red, though the color had faded significantly with age.She opened the box and held it within Queen Satia’s reach.
After a rustle of paper and a brief clatter, the Queen brought forth a scroll, tied with a fraying black ribbon.“This scroll has been in my family for generations,” Queen Satia announced, her words sounding memorized.“Every child born into my blood has had the spell of binding performed on them at six months of age.”
Riven kept his eyes on the scroll.
“You will cast this spell on my heir, six months from the date of his birth.”The Queen rested her hand on her belly.
“Majesty—” he started, but she shook her head.
“You will be well compensated,” she said.“There are other spells on the scroll, powerful charms and curses.I will grant you access to them, to copy them.Gold, as well as our Royal protection, if you succeed in this.”She paused.Riven heard the unspoken threat if he failed.
“It would be mutually beneficial to each of us to support the other.”She frowned.“Can you cast portals?”
“Aye, if I know the location well,” he said cautiously.“It takes a great deal of power—
“Yes, yes,” she said.“That would suit me.”
“Majesty?”Riven asked, confused.Everything he had ever wanted, offered to him by a Wyvern.
“It occurs to me that perhaps I could forgo the services of a chained-mage after all.”Satia said.“But that is for the future, isn’t it?”
“I would have freedom,” he asked carefully.“To practice my arts?”
Her eyes didn’t flicker away from his.“Yes.”
If it was a lie, it was an honest one, meant in the moment.Which confused him.He had no reason to trust her, but perhaps her ruthlessness would make for an…alliance.He drew a breath.“Your Majesty, I can make no promises until I know more about what is required of me.”
“Agreed,” she nodded.“In the meantime, we will be cautious.For your safety and ours.”
“I prefer cautious,” Riven said.
“Yes,” The Queen nodded.“So, out ofcaution, you must return to your humble quarters for now.No one will disturb you there.You will study the scroll, but only with one of my ladies in attendance.”
Riven nodded and didn’t let himself smile.Cautious indeed.
The Queen virtually purred, seeming satisfied.“We will also provide a servant for you.”She nodded to Caris, who went to a door and admitted a lumbering man with a shuffling gait and an oddly pushed-in face.His head was shaved and he was grinning uncertainly.
“This is Witless,” Caris said, closing the door behind him.
Witless came to stand beside Riven, staring down at him curiously.
Riven stared back.A moon-child, probably with limited understanding.
“Witless, this is your new master,” Caris said.
“Master.”Witless nodded, smiling with wetted lips.
Riven gave him a nod, then looked to the Queen.
