“He does.”

“And you, Lord Alec?”

“Yes, Majesty!”

“Then let us leave it at that for the moment. Thero, you have taken your master’s place as the head of the Watchers?”

“Yes, Majesty. But while in Aurënen these past months there’s been little I could do on your behalf, other than help oversee the trade agreements at the behest of the princess. I hope I have served you well in that capacity.”

“Your efforts are noted. However, it is my command that you disband the Watchers. No more secrets. If I require your aid in any fashion, I will order it, and you will answer to no one except me. Is that understood?”

“Yes, but-”

“I have spoken!”

Thero pressed a hand to his heart and bowed deeply. “You have my oath, by my hands, heart, eyes, and voice.”

“Good.” Phoria sat back, regarding Alec and Seregil again. “As for you two, I am satisfied for now. In fact, I have a task for you-one you’re well suited to.”

“We are yours to command, Majesty,” replied Seregil.

“You most certainly are. You’re going to Aurënen as my emissaries to Princess Klia. My half sister is to return at once and resume her duties as my field commander. Her swift obedience is imperative, as proof of her love. You are to return with her as quickly as possible. Is that clear?”

“As spring water, Majesty. But crossing the Osiat this time of year-it’s already late enough that there could be problems.”

“I’ll give you a decent ship.”

“Am I to go with them, Majesty?” asked Thero.

“What use would you be? There’s work enough for you here. You’re dismissed.”

Thero bowed and made a hasty retreat. He didn’t look at the others, but Alec saw the angry flush suffusing his thin cheeks.

“I’m sending an escort for you under the command of Lord Traneus. And I’ve had these prepared.” She gestured to Korathan, who stepped down and handed Seregil three small, painted sticks.

Alec recognized them; they were message wands. These talismans were infused with a simple magic, usually a message of some sort, which would be released when the wand was broken in two. Such devices required no magic from the user; even Seregil could make them work.

“Use the red one when you arrive at Gedre, to signal that you arrived safely,” the prince explained. “The blue is for Bôkthersa. The last is for Klia. She’s to break it on the morning she sets out to return. The messages will come to me directly.”

“I trust your sister will have no objection to the princess cutting short her visit there?” asked Phoria.

Seregil’s expression betrayed nothing but mild surprise. “I’m certain she won’t, Majesty. She understands the gravity of the situation.”

Phoria rose. “I’m sure I don’t need to stress the importance of your task. Korathan, I’ll leave the rest to you. Farewell, my lords, and may your voyage be a swift one.”

Alec stood at stiff attention as she took her leave, then let out a shaky breath.

Korathan grinned at him. “You look like you’ve just escaped the block, Lord Alec.”

“I think maybe we just did.” Seregil strolled over and hitched himself up on the edge of the dais. “So, how long did it take you to talk her out of having us executed?”

“Oh, not quite so bad as all that. There was talk of exiling you, though.”

This was too much for Alec. “For what? What did we ever do to her?”

“She knows of your role exposing her indiscretion in the Leran affair and the ‘misplaced’ gold shipment she and Vicegerent Barieus were embroiled in.”

“Completely by accident!” Seregil reminded him. “We didn’t know anything about it when we started, and we’ve never said anything about it since.”

“True, but you know how she is. She was embarrassed, politically and personally, and not likely to forgive you for that. But that’s not all. There’s also your close friendship with Klia. And now Klia is fast friends with your sister, the khirnari of a powerful clan.”

“Ah, so that’s why she was even colder to me than usual,” Seregil said with a wry smirk. “Now my whole clan is conspiring against her, too? This little jaunt is really a loyalty test all around.”

“But Klia has served Phoria well in Aurënen,” Alec pointed out. “The agreements she got securing stores and trade, and wizards to fight for her-surely that’s been to Skala’s benefit?”

“Of course it has, but Phoria would bite off her own tongue rather than admit it.”

“Why?”

“Because the plan was our mother’s, not hers, and Klia was the one to support it.”

“So Phoria’s still putting her trust in swords over magic,” added Seregil.

“Always, and Skalan swords in particular.”

“And Phoria can’t see past her own jealousy,” Alec muttered.

Korathan gave him a warning look. “Remember where you are and whom you’re speaking of! She’s the queen, and my sister.”

Alec made him a hasty bow. “I beg your pardon, Highness.”

“So, what’s the plan?” asked Seregil, shooting Alec a warning look of his own.

“Your ship, the Lark, is berthed at the Lantern Street quay. You sail with the tide at first light.”

“The queen seems in a hurry to get us out of town.”

“More anxious to settle the matter, I think.” Korathan took a thick packet sealed with the Royal Signet from his coat and gave it to Seregil. “Here are letters of passage to the khirnaris of Gedre and Bôkthersa, and Phoria’s orders to Klia. Come back swiftly, and you may just buy yourself some favor.”

Seregil hopped down and made Korathan an exaggerated bow. “Your royal errand boys hear and obey, Highness.”

“Seregil- ”

“Don’t worry, I understand how important this is. There’s just one thing I’d like to ask you before we go. As a friend?”

Korathan softened noticeably at that. “Go on.”

“Will you give me your word that Phoria means no harm to her sister?”

Korathan thought a moment, then put his hand to his heart. “I give you my word that I believe her when she says so.”

“Hmm. Very well. I’ll bring Klia home safely, and trust you to keep her that way once she’s here.”

“One of these days, that mouth of yours is going to get you into serious trouble.”

“Has before. Will again, I expect. Take care, Highness. I’m glad it’s you standing beside the throne.”

They took their leave, but it wasn’t until they were free of the Palace that Alec could finally breathe freely. “Phoria must have been satisfied with our answers, or she wouldn’t have given us a commission, right?”

Seregil shrugged, looking more upset now than he had when Phoria was insulting them. “It could have been worse. At least we have something worthwhile to do.”

Alec waited for him to say more, but Seregil was uncharacteristically quiet as they rode to the Orëska to catch up with Thero.

We lied, Alec realized. Given the choice between following Klia or Phoria, there would be no question. He prayed it never came to that.

Perpetual summer reigned in the walled gardens that surrounded the Orëska House. The shining white palace, with its four domed towers, gleamed against the faultless blue sky. Here were beds of flowers and herbs, and groves of trees covered in every sort of fruit. Magyana had brought back many of the most exotic ones, found in her long years of traveling.

Red- liveried servants bowed to them as they entered the echoing atrium. Sunlight streamed down through the central dome, making the brilliant mosaic that paved the entrance chamber glow. The great Dragon of Illior was whole again. Looking around at the graceful archways and the scores of robed wizards and apprentices going peacefully about their business, it was as if the devastation of the Plenimaran attack had never happened. Nysander was gone, but, Alec reminded himself, so were Mardus and his followers. The Orëska remained, strong and powerful. Why was Phoria so bent on alienating them?

“You’re gaping,” Seregil chuckled as they crossed to the staircase leading up to what was now Thero’s tower. As they reached the top, however, he was no longer smiling. They’d been in to visit Magyana several times since their return, but had avoided these rooms until now.