Arlon lets out a long breath, his hands dragging through his hair. “And so we will.”
He says it with finality. As if it’ll be that easy. And I can only pray he’s right.
I’M GLAD TO LEARN THATwhen Arlon goes to the palace with an emergency, he’s heard. The guards we encounter at the gates scramble to find someone who can speak to us. Though Arlon is hoping to speak to the King, it’s Captain Thora who takes us to one of the conference rooms inside.
“Where is His Majesty?” Arlon asks.
“He is indisposed with his Queen Mother, but I will ensure he hears whatever news you have,” Thora says. “What is this emergency?”
Arlon and I share a frustrated look before he tells her, though her face remains carefully neutral as he recounts Reneta’s sending.
“And you’re certain they were intercepted by Immen forces?” Thora asks.
“Reneta reported they were north of Belingrad, heading towards the northern road. That deep into Immenbach, who else could it be?” Arlon’s voice is hard with repressed frustrations.
Thora is quiet for a moment before she lets out a long sigh. “Say it. I know you’re dying to.”
Arlon’s lips curl into something like a sneer. “With twenty-three wizards’ lives now hanging in the balance, do you really think I’d stoop so low as to say ‘I told you so’?”
Thora levels an unamused look at him. “We leave for the peace talks in less than a week,” she says at last. “The only difference this makes is now Immenbach has slightly more negotiating power.”
Arlon’s face darkens with anger. “I’m sure the wizards of the Eastern Tower will find solace knowing their lives and freedoms have been reduced to ‘negotiating power for Immenbach’ in the eyes ofStraetham.”
“Arlon,” I say gently. Just from the look she gives him, I can tell that Arlon is already testing Thora’s patience.
His eyes flick to me, and he takes a deep breath, reining his anger back in.
Thora also takes a moment before she asks, “Have you informed Olammed about his required presence in Marikadar?”
“His name is Olbric,” Arlon says sharply.
I silently agree with the correction, but this sniping match is getting exhausting. “He hasn’t been informed yet, Captain. Olbric’s relationship with his family in Marikadar makes this... a delicate situation.”
Thora doesn’t seem impressed by that answer, but Arlon says quietly, “I was going to make an announcement about the Tower wizards tonight. I plan on speaking with Olbric first thing tomorrow.”
Thora gives a curt nod. “The sooner we can finalize the roster, the better. I will plan on being at the Crux in the morning in case he proves difficult.”
Arlon’s eyes narrow. “That won’t be necessary. Olbric is one of my wizards, which makes this a magical matter. I can handle it.”
Thora’s expression is cool, and it’s like she can see how difficult of an ask this is for both of us. She comes to some silent decision as she tilts her chin up.
“And I will be there to ensure that you do.”
More Bad News
When giving delicate assignments, it’s best to keep information on an as-needed basis.
From the journal of Grandmaster Fawn Maitre, previous Grandmaster of the Crux.
DOM AND I HAVE PLANNEDour departure for tomorrow morning, and we want to make it as uneventful as possible. Trying to waltz out the gates with packs stuffed for a multi-week journey will only raise suspicion, and I am a firm adherent of only breaking as many rules at a time as is absolutely necessary. So, with all of our nonperishable supplies packed, I want to store them in a safe spot outside of the Crux tonight.
“What’s the plan?” Dom asks in a hushed tone as we take a seat for dinner.
“I called in my favor to the kitchens. We should have full rations ready for us before first bell tomorrow,” I murmur. “As far as the packs, tonight seems like a lovely night for an evening ride, doesn’t it? We’ll put the bags under an illusion and carry them out right under the guard’s nose.”
“Sounds like a date,” Dom says before his eyes flick to something behind me. His grin fades, and he averts his gaze to his bowl as Galiva takes a seat next to me.
“Well, hello, Apprentice Qamari. Good of you to grace us with your presence,” I say before a flash of blue on her sleeve catches my eye. I grab her cuff, pulling it up to display the conjuration mastery that certainly wasn’t there when I last saw her. “Hey! When did this happen?”
