Evolene leaned against me and sighed. “Everyone’s so tense about the witches.”
“King Magnar probably needs them for his war.”
“He’s used to battling with two of his sisters at his side.”
“I’ll bet it’s the two who fought us at the border.”
Evolene hummed.
We soon passed the giant sequoia with the burnt-out insides. Power sparked from within the broken trunk, making its innards appear to writhe. Deep grooves pitted the surrounding lawn from the explosions we had escaped. Hopefully, now that the librarian had escaped Mount Fornax territory, we would not encounter any more murderous homunculi.
Fyrian passed a patch of giant dandelions and swooped down to a sun-drenched poppy field with flowers the size of parasols. Its sweet, citrusy scent wafted up from below, making the muscles around my shoulders relax.
“Won’t we get into trouble for letting dragons rest on crops?” I asked.
“They’ll return to normal as soon as they’re watered,” replied Evolene. “Something about the lightning tree makes the flowers around here extra resilient.”
Fyrian landed opposite a large, yellow dragon lounging within the stalks.
Stafford rushed out from behind the yellow dragon and helped Evolene and her basket down. Niger strolled over and grinned.
I smiled back and slid down Fyrian’s side.
Niger caught me around the waist. “You said you had a plan.”
A flush surged across my cheeks. I dipped my head, and a strangled noise caught in my throat. Stafford and Evolene had to have seen everything! It was only when he let go and stepped back that I raised my head. Sure enough, I met two pairs of rounded eyes.
“Um…” I stepped away from Niger. “Yes. Mr. Bacon told us eleven ingredients for the antidote. He said he can’t remember the last one, but the most difficult one to get was gold.”
“Our best source of gold got burned down by the alchemists,” muttered Niger.
Evolene placed her basket on the ground and pointed her staff. With a flash of white light, it transformed into a low, wicker table with place settings for four, and four, thick cushions. A roasted goose, two ostrich legs, and a grilled trout lay in the middle of the table, surrounded by roasted vegetables and a glazed, pear pie. She’d even brought a small barrel of ale and a flagon of juice.
I gaped. “Did you get this from Eyepatch?”
She blinked. “Eye… You mean Mr. Cobbs?”
Stafford and I shared guilty looks. We had been referring to him as eyepatch all this time without bothering to ask his name. I rubbed the back of my neck. “Err… Yes. Did he make it?”
“He visited the laboratory last night to speak to Master Jesper. He said he knew we were meeting somewhere for lunch and offered to make a picnic.”
“Good old Cobbs.” Niger chuckled. “What a feast!”
We all rounded the table and took our seats. Evolene sat next to Stafford, and I sat opposite Stafford and next to Niger. Whatever enchantment Evolene had performed on the basket had preserved the heat and aromas of our little banquet, making everything mouthwateringly appetizing.
I glanced up. Behind Stafford and Evolene, Fyrian lounged sphinx-like on the poppies opposite Niger’s dragon. “Fyri?”
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you get something to eat, too?”
Her tongue darted out between her teeth. “I haven’t had a rabbit rex in a while. Neither has Flavo.”
I smiled up at her. “Go ahead. I don’t want you two feeling hungry while we’re eating.”
While the two dragons rose and took to the skies, I imagined clouds over a moonlit sky. As much as I trusted Fyrian, I didn’t know Flavo, and I also had no idea what kind of effect the loyalty elixir would have on a dragon’s behavior. It was too risky to let them know we planned on stealing from King Magnar.
Niger watched after them. “Where are they going?”
“I didn’t want to put them in an awkward position, so I suggested they left to get some food.”
With a nod of approval, he placed an ostrich leg on his platter. “Getting gold is all very well, but what about the last ingredient?”
“If Mr. Bacon can’t remember it, we’re finished.” Stafford cut himself a large portion of goose.
I grabbed a freshly-baked roll, broke it in half with my hands, and spread a generous serving of butter, which melted into the soft, warm bread. “Actually, I might know who tore out the antidote from the book.”
Everybody stopped eating and stared, but it was Niger who spoke first. “King Magnar.”
I poured myself a goblet of pear juice. “While you lot were out fighting the weathervane, I traveled in King Magnar’s wagon part-way to the mountain.”
Niger shot me a quizzical look. “Why part-way?”
“I saw Stafford and jumped out to ride with him.” I raised a shoulder. “Anyway, we left him to ride up ahead, while Stafford and I took the long route to the Healer’s Academy building.”
“Why not the Reception Road?”
“What’s that?” asked Stafford.
Evolene set down her goblet. “It’s an enchanted route up the mountain that avoids the terraces.”
“We didn’t know about that at the time,” I said.
Stafford muttered into his ale. “I still don’t know about it.”
Niger stroked his beard. “You think King Magnar went to the alchemists’ wagon and tore out the antidote?”
“He had a massive head start on us.” I counted off my reasons on my fingers. “He knew about the loyalty elixir and was the alchemists’ prisoner, he has the most to gain from keeping the dragons loyal, and I saw him carrying a piece of parchment with a torn edge.”
Evolene straightened. “I noticed that, too!”
I paused, waiting for the damsel denial to strike me down, but all I felt was the tiniest of twinges. Perhaps even the magic disapproved of his underhanded ways.
Stafford shook his head. “I’m not surprised he would try something like that, but it’s a stupid risk, considering you’ll beat him.”
My entire chest expanded, and a warm feeling spread up to my face. “I’m not sure about that.”
“How many times have you stopped someone’s plans against Mount Fornax. Two? Three?” asked Niger.
“Four,” said Stafford.
I glanced at Evolene, hoping she wasn’t still sore about the time her father tried to abduct me. She was too busy gazing at Stafford’s profile to notice what he had said.
“So, we steal the antidote from King Magnar,” said Niger. “What about the gold?”
“That crown Master Fosco gave him in the Drogott Arena looked chunky enough,” I said. “We’re going to steal it as well.”
Stafford whistled and cut a large piece of goose.
Niger snickered. “The best time to do anything and not get caught is during a duel or a drogott match.”
My mind went back to the chaos of my duel. The room had been filled with warriors all intent to watch a good fight. Anyone could have snuck in, stolen any items they desired and left without being noticed.
I sliced myself a portion of trout and added a serving of rosemary butter and roasted vegetables. “The chances of a duel happening while everyone’s distracted by the elixir are slim.”
“W-why not sneak into his bedroom and take it while he’s sleeping?” asked Evolene.
Niger shook his head. “My brothers are in the King’s Guard. There is no way we can get through two-dozen elite warriors.”
“Especially when they have nothing to do but listen out for strange noises,” I muttered. “We have to steal the gold when everyone is preoccupied.”
“The mess hall is out of the question. Everyone stares at him there.”
We ate in silence for a while. Each mouthful was an explosion of intense flavors and textures. I paused and stared out at the sky. I’d eaten Eyepatch’s cooking nearly every day since coming to Mount Fornax, but it had never tasted th
is good. Perhaps the fresh air and lack of proximity to King Magnar made the difference.
“Hmmm.” I sipped at my pear juice, which tasted more like nectar than fruit. “How about while everyone’s watching the tournament finals?”
“How will you get to the royal box without being seen?” asked Niger.
“I-I can do that with an invisibility charm,” said Evolene.
Stafford puffed out his chest. “I’ll come with you if you can make me invisible, too.”
Her cheeks pinked, and she gave him the warmest of smiles. “Thank you.”
I gave them both a nod of approval. It was always nice to see them work well together. “Brilliant. The flying cat might be to help set up a distraction. I don’t think it’s affected by the loyalty elixir.”
“I’ve been leaving food for it outside the Healer’s Academy,” said Evolene. “I’ll ask if it wants to help.”
We finished the rest of the meal enjoying the silence of each other’s company. Although it was the hottest time of day, the white clouds and gentle breeze kept us at a very comfortable temperature. When everyone had eaten their fill, Evolene enchanted the table back into a basket, and we moved the cushions under the trees.
“It’s so nice to eat in peaceful surroundings with friends,” I said.
“The drogott team always eats together after practice,” said Niger. “But it is not as pleasant as eating with you.”
My stomach flip-flopped. Was he referring to the three of us or just me? I stole a quick glance at Stafford and Evolene, who were too busy smiling at each other to have noticed Niger’s words.
“You never did get the chance to teach me the game,” I murmured.
“When we give everyone the antidote to the loyalty elixir, I will take you out to the arena to practice.”
“Don’t you mean if?”
He shook his head. “I may not have witnessed all your adventures, but you have the makings of a hero.”
I glanced away. If this was going to be about how I was related to the people who had won the Great Dragon Revolution, I’d heard it before. “Are you talking about—”
“You. Not Her Majesty, not the Prince Regent, and not your mother the sword-wielding fairy. I saw the way you fought King Magnar’s enchanted form. I was impressed even when I thought you were the disguised Prince. But now…”
I looked up. Sincerity shone in his eyes, which made pride swell within my chest. He was probably about to say something about not expecting a Princess to be able to fight. Right now, I felt so light, so enchanted that comments like that didn’t even matter. My lips curved into a smile, and my eyelids fluttered closed.
“Are you falling asleep?”
“No.” I leaned against his side. “I’m just so relaxed around you.”
He harrumphed. “I had hoped my presence would have a more vigorous effect.”
My head dipped forward. For the first time in ages, I could sleep forever. Not even the distant thought of King Magnar and his plan to enslave me and everyone else in Mount Fornax could aggravate me.
“Alba?” said Fyrian.
“Hmmm?”
“You feel like a flying dragon.”
I chuckled. “What?”
“What’s so funny?” asked Niger.
“When the buoyant air in our lungs keeps our bodies light. I think you’re having a strange reaction to the poppies.”
He wrapped an arm around my middle and whispered, “Princess?”
“Fyrian says it’s the scent of the poppies.”
“They just smell of earth to me,” said Niger.
I giggled. “Really? I thought you were the one with the better nose.”
He tilted my chin up and stared into my eyes. “You look intoxicated. Perhaps these poppies have an effect on fairies.”
“Maybe.” The word came out more slurred than I had intended. Niger hooked his arm under my legs and stood, lifting me off the ground. “W-what are you doing?”
“Taking you away from the poppies,” he replied.
“Aaah.” I rested my head on his shoulder and sniffed. His scent reminded me of the moments just before a thunderstorm where the stillness would be interrupted by chaos. “All right, then.”
As I closed my eyes, I wondered why it wasn’t him who carried me out of the burning hut and not King Magnar.
The sooner we stole the gold and discovered the last ingredient of the antidote, the better.
Chapter 11
When I opened my eyes, it was to find Evolene standing over me with a tiny staff. Gasping, I jerked back.
“D-don’t worry. I’m only monitoring your papaver levels.”
“Papa-what?” I blinked several times, bringing the alchemical symbols on the laboratory’s pale wall into focus.
Master Jesper held a vial of something vinegary under my nose. “Papaver is one of the substances used to subdue dragons before surgery. In its unprocessed form, it is completely harmless to humans, ogres, and dragons, but apparently, your exact mix of species is susceptible.”
I wrinkled my nose and sat up. “Right… Thanks for taking care of me.”
Evolene smiled. “Niger brought you here on Flavo-Fumi.”
“That was very nice of him.”
She was about to say something else when the bell rang. “I-I’ll get your breakfast.”
I shot out of the cot. “Breakfast?”
“You stayed the entire night.” Master Jesper placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “I had to send King Magnar, Cadets Griffon, Griffon, Bluebeard, and Perrault out so you could get some rest.”
Any warm feelings I had from being watched over by Niger soured at the thought of being unconscious and vulnerable around King Magnar. “I’d better go to class.”
“Stay for breakfast. You will need to line your stomach for the strengthening elixirs.”
“All right.” I sat back on the cot.
Soon after, Evolene emerged with a steaming bowl of porridge and a large goblet of pear juice on a tray. She set it on my lap and smiled.
Master Jesper added a small rack containing six vials. “While the papaver has left your system, we aren’t completely sure you’re not still affected by the poppies’ lingering magical effects. Take these, and they will strengthen your body and your magic.”
“I dislocated my shoulder earlier. Is that—”
“Completely healed, but I took the liberty of mixing you the kind of bone-strengthening elixir I made Cendrilla when she was your age. It should give you the skeletal constitution of a half-ogre.”
My gaze fell on the vial containing white liquid. It would probably be similar to the citrusy, chalky concoction I’d been prescribed by Healer Alabio. The next time I sparred with Gobi, he wouldn’t find me quite the fragile target.
“Thank you.” I reached for that one first.
After I had finished my elixirs and porridge, the flying cat padded into the laboratory and sat at my feet. I reached down and gave it a pat on the head. “Thanks for delivering the letters. Did you get hold of the lighthouse keeper?”
It nodded.
Before I could ask for more details, Stafford strolled in holding the remains of a breakfast roll, stuffed with an assortment of meats and cheeses. “We’d better get to class, or we’ll be late.”
I stood. “Thanks for breakfast.”
Outside, the morning was crisp with a thin covering of white clouds. I strolled along the path beside Stafford, letting the cool air fill my lungs and blow through my hair.
Stafford clasped his hands behind his back and tilted his head to the skies. We passed the Great Lake, walked under the sandstone archway of the reception courtyard, and through another archway that led to the fields where General Thornicroft made us run laps. Beyond the field, Fyrian was already waiting on the sandstone cliffs alongside the red dragons. Captain Caiman’s painted red head shone in the morning sun.
“Albert, do you think King Magnar would marry you with normal vows if you didn’t avoid him so
much?”
I froze. “What?”
He raised his palms. “I’m not saying you should be his best friend, but if you’re sly about it and he thinks you’re not going to rebel against him, he might not force you into a vow of obedience.”
“And if I show him an ounce of friendliness, he’ll never change his mind about letting me go.”
“But you said he wouldn’t anyway.”
I shook my head and stared at the ground. “There’s a part of me still hoping he’ll have enough dignity not to marry someone he despises.”
Stafford didn’t say anything in reply.
“What?”
“Last night, when you were brought unconscious into the Healer’s Academy Building, he was really worried. He even left the tournament early to see that you were all right.”
“That’s because he needs me well enough to defeat the spriggans and get his sisters back.”
“You could be right,” he said in a tone that meant the opposite.
My gaze flickered to his furrowed brow. I didn’t bother to ask why he thought King Magnar considered me as anything other than an implement of war.
As soon as Stafford and I got within hearing range, Captain Caiman grinned. “Come along, stragglers! If you are going to be of use to His Majesty in the upcoming war, you will need all the practice you can get!”
Both Rufus and Gobi stood straighter. I suppose it was the work of the loyalty elixir, at least on Rufus’ part.
A red dragon I had never seen before landed beside Fyrian with a hearty roar. Where the morning sunlight hit its scales, they shone like oxblood, but the dragon’s underside appeared red.
“That’s the spirit, Byrrus!” cried Captain Caiman.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
“A show-off,” Fyrian snapped. “Ignore him, and he’ll go away.”
Byrrus stamped his right foreleg, sending up a small cloud of dust.
Captain Caiman spread his arms wide. “How many of you saw my performance at yesterday’s tournament?”
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