by J. B. Markes
"I'm not an agent of the king," I said carefully. "I'm His Majesty's subject, but not his agent. Neither is Gustobald. We were dismissed yesterday."
"Be careful." Inspector Raines closed his eyes. "There is little difference here. We're talking about fealty, not enrollment at the academy."
"What are you suggesting, Ives?" Ruby asked.
"I suggest that Gustobald was right. Maybe Bairns's spell failed, so this questioning led us nowhere. We should probably give this up and forget what we've heard." I pointed toward the far wall outside the cell and the inspector nodded thoughtfully. "If you would be so kind as to wait outside, I will secure the prisoner. You can watch me from over there to ensure she doesn't try anything."
Raines looked down at Lady Ashdown, who blinked in silent confusion. "Make it quick, Miss Ives." He snapped his fingers at the two sentinels and followed them to the hallway. Ruby glanced back in disappointment at being left out, but Bairns beat both of them out the door. When it was just Gustobald and I alone with Lady Ashdown, her last vestiges of strength crumbled and she began to cry.
"We have been betrayed by the royal family," she said. "Father suspected, but I didn't believe it. This was the plot all along—to take Northsgate from us. And we walked right into it and now I will be executed and father will come to ruin."
"We don't have a lot of time," I said. "But we want to help you."
"Can you get me out of here?"
"You're safest where you are, really," Gustobald said. "Put her back in the irons."
I shook my head at Gustobald. "You need to tell me everything about that letter. What did it say exactly?"
"What does it matter?" She hung her head low. "The king gets what he wants."
"I think he wants you to die quietly." Gustobald's callous words bolstered her fear. "Tell me. Did the prince say he was running away, by any chance?"
"Running away?" I looked up in shock, wondering what else he hadn't told me. "How did you know that?"
"It's just a question."
"No," Lady Ashdown replied, and Gustobald shrugged. "Jasper said that he would sooner take his own life than marry someone he did not love. We sent birds as soon as we received his message. They went unanswered. It was all a trick. Just a trick."
"I'm sorry, Lady Ashdown," I said. "I saw the king's condition when he thought Prince Jasper was dead. He doesn't know where his son is."
"Unanswered birds." Gustobald tapped his shoulder. "What does that tell you, Miss Ives?"
"The king tore up those messages, too," Lady Ashdown said.
"I don't think so," I said. "The birds must have been intercepted. In any case, we have to get her out of here. This isn't right."
"Not yet," Gustobald said. "She's right where she needs to be, where she can't tell anyone what she just told us. Have faith, girl. We'll get to the bottom of this yet. One last question, Miss Ashdown."
"If it will help," she said, wiping the tears away. "Just please help me."
"It won't help at all," he said, glancing at me. "But did you love Prince Jasper?"
She paused a moment, and I thought Bairns's spell might have run its course. "How could I?" she asked. "I barely knew him."
"Let's go." Raines entered and recovered the lantern, but didn't bother putting the prisoner back in irons. "I hope you have something I can use, because we're out of time."
"What's going on?" I asked, looking out to the empty hallway. "Where are Ruby and Bairns?"
"They've been recalled by His Majesty," the inspector said, leading us out of the cell and locking the iron door. "It seems King Eamon never intended to wait for Lord Ashdown's reply. They're mobilizing for battle and intend to strike Lord Ashdown's camp unawares. So tell me, do you have something I can use—a name, anything?"
When I hesitated, Raines knew I had nothing. "I need more time," I said. "I feel like we're getting closer. Just give me a day."
"We might not have a day." Raines kept a cold exterior despite his long deliberation. "I wish I could help you—"
"Then do it!" Gustobald stomped his foot. "You called us here! Now let us work. Act like an inspector for once in your life."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Pitch." Raines didn't seem offended, only disheartened. "I believe I overestimated you—and myself as well. Your time is up. Pack your belongings and clear out of the palace by sunset."
"Inspector!" I called after him as he left us in the dark.
He turned back to me, but I barely recognized him in the failing light. "You too, Miss Ives. You won't want to be here for what happens next."
When he was gone, I turned to Gustobald and sighed, finding no words. The necromancer renewed his dancing light and shook his head.
"Don't be too hard on him," Gustobald said. "Yes, he's an incompetent simpleton—"
I waited him out, but he just stared at me. "But?" I asked impatiently.
"Hmm?"
"What do we do now? We can't leave her here. And we can't let the Sentinels attack Lord Ashdown. It would be an unforgivable abuse of the art."
"It's nothing that hasn't happened before," Gustobald said. "And they call me the savage."
Without asking, I grabbed Gustobald's satchel and removed his light crystals, then slid open the eye slit on Lady Ashdown's door. I used my fingertips to hang one of them just inside her cell as it blazed into life. It was a small consolation, but it would keep the darkness at bay for as long as it remained.
"Thank you," came the weak voice from within.
"What if it's true?" I asked, handing Gustobald his two remaining crystals. "What if the king somehow orchestrated all of this? What if we're just blind?"
"We'll answer that question if it comes to it," he said. "For now, I think it's time to test your wings."
Chapter 20
"Give it a rest," Gustobald said. "You can't force yourself into his mind. You must invite him into yours. You are the master, but remember that you're also a partner."
"I've already got it," I said.
"Of course, you do," he said dismissively. "It's not hard."
I was flying, circling high above the capital. From this height I could see the designers' intention in the layout of the city center. The Arc to the north of the Silver Palace and the Cradle to the south traced out an inverted shield of green grass immediately surrounding the palace walls, with the King's Way and First Way forming a cross from the silver gates to the outer walls. The careful order was lost farther out where the streets fell into more practical use.
West of the docks, the Great Sea was dotted here or there with rocks and ships, but farther out the world ended in blue. The Everwood followed the coast northward farther than Zephyr's eye could see. Beyond the farmland to the south, wild fertile land awaited the manpower to harness it. Farther still, green hills rolled endlessly into the hazy horizon. Part of me hoped we didn't teleport back when we returned to the Academy Magus. Now that my health was restored, I longed to spend my days someplace beautiful and free from complication.
Zephyr pulled his wings in and swooped down toward the palace wall. I lost my bearings when I spotted myself through his eyes. I had to pull out of his consciousness to regain my balance. He touched down on the nearest guard tower and looked down on me while he rested. The sun was already on the decline, reminding me that we were running out of time.
"There won't be many more days like this," Gustobald said. "Not with winter coming. Any luck yet?"
"He's flying around the city," I said. "But I can't get him to do what I want. He doesn't understand me."
"It takes time, just like everything else. You're not exactly two minds anymore, but one."
"That doesn't help," I said. "My instructions are too vague. He's confused."
"Zephyr doesn't speak our language, not yet anyway." Gustobald waved off my incoming question. "You must communicate through thoughts and feelings. Mental images."
"That's the problem. I don't have mental images of wherever he came from." I closed my eyes and was back with
Zephyr. He was preoccupied with the city streets. I shared his anxiety as he jumped down to a wooden stall just outside the walls and plucked a spider from its web. He crushed the tiny creature in his beak and dropped it on the ground. I broke contact as soon as I felt the phantom bug in my mouth.
"Ugh. He just killed a spider," I said.
"My rat does that sometimes," Gustobald said. "Not as much as he used to. It's a leftover impulse. He's still an animal, after all."
"You should have brought the rat. We could have used his ability to sneak around."
"And leave the house unattended? You trust the academy more than I do."
I focused my thoughts on Zephyr's leg and was surprised to see him inspecting himself through his own eyes. The metal band for securing messages was still wrapped loosely around his leg, and he pecked at it when I envisioned the ransom letter.
"It's no use," I said. "This has been a complete waste."
"Don't let Zephyr hear you talk like that."
"Why? Will he suddenly understand me?" I couldn't help but think about my cat Akasha, who was so smart and independent. "He's a birdbrain."
"Oh, aren't we clever today, Miss Ives." He looked out over the city. "We need to make progress soon. They're going to chase us out of the palace any time now."
"You're right," I said. "You're always right."
Fly. I entered Zephyr's mind again and he took wing. We stayed low this time. I could almost feel the wind under me. Somewhere far away, I could hear Gustobald talking, but his voice was a dull murmur. I circled the God's Eye, looking for any way up or down. If the prince did run away—or worse, take his own life—he still would have needed a way off the God's Eye. Vaughn's body and the ransom note complicated those theories.
When I passed over the palace gardens, I remembered Princess Meridale's betrayal. I wondered how hard it would be to swoop down and ruin her day. I wasn't allowed anywhere near her, but Zephyr could go wherever he pleased. Down. During the descent, I noticed the balcony window leading to her room was open, so with a little mental effort I redirected Zephyr to perch on the railing. Surprisingly, he obeyed.
The room was empty, but for whatever reason the door to the inner hallway was open. Zephyr jumped off the railing and fluttered into the room, landing on the bed. Most everything was exactly as I remembered, except the sheets were gone from the mattress and the curtains from the windows. I nudged Zephyr toward the table for a better look around. He landed on top of the poetry book.
I spotted my satchel instantly. It was on the floor leaning against her desk. Down! Zephyr leaped down and hopped around it. It was strange to see how large the satchel was through his eyes. I thought Meridale might have tucked the wand into one of the side pockets, but it was nowhere to be seen. Up. There was nothing on top of the desk either. Likely she was carrying my wand on her person, still playing make-believe.
Hopeless, I fell idle and let Zephyr hop about the desk pecking at random objects and scattering charcoal sticks across its surface. Then a shiny stick caught his eye. Shiny. I heard the word as clearly as if he had said it out loud. He went for it instantly: a small metal rod in the cubby. The princess had been careless with her stamper. Zephyr shook it and it fell onto the floor.
Shiny, he said. Shiny.
Leave it, I said.
He either disobeyed or didn't understand, because he returned to the floor and circled around the stamper, pecking wildly, alternating between the shiny symbol and the metal band on his leg. The seal was similar to Prince Jasper's—a geometric rose—but hers had small pinpoints around the outside of the flower.
"Did you know Princess Meridale has almost the same seal as Prince Jasper?" I asked, returning to my body and cutting off Gustobald's speech.
"Confound it, girl. Have you been ignoring me this whole time? And didn't I tell you to stop chasing after the princess. If you don't start—"
Zephyr was carrying the stamper in his beak, tossing it every now and then for the sake of making it sparkle in the light. Leave it. When he pecked at his leg band again, I finally understood. He had seen the shiny stick before. Show me.
He moved toward the window, but a beetle in the corner drew his attention. Don't, Zephyr. And then he went for it. The beetle knew its time was up, and scrambled every which way as the pigeon pecked furiously about it. Zephyr's sport led him away from the balcony toward the open door. No amount of mental shouting could dissuade him from the hunt.
I never saw the broom coming, but it struck us directly. Zephyr was terrified and flew into the air. He might have flown into the hallway, but the cleaning woman took another swing and struck him clear across the room. Somehow I broke through his fear to take control and guide him straight out the window.
"Stupid bird," I said.
"Are you still ignoring me?" Gustobald huffed. "This is gratitude, is it? After I help you with your—"
Zephyr left the confines of the palace flying so fast I thought he might lose his feathers. I could feel his panic creeping into my own mind. My own heart skipped a beat, but I fought the impulse to flee. Gradually I bent his will to my own, but it was a struggle fighting through his emotions. At least he didn't seem to be in pain from his broom wounds.
Soon enough, his mood leveled off and he returned to his mission. In less than a minute he cleared the city walls. He followed the First Road across the gentle hills and headed toward the distant Everwood. The open fields to the east were surprisingly accommodating to a hostile force, but Lord Ashdown's company could never be mistaken for an army. His soldiers weren't organized into formations, instead sprawling in haphazard clusters of tents and fires. When a couple of arrows whistled by within a few feet of Zephyr, I took him higher to keep him out of range.
"Lord Ashdown is cutting off communications from the palace," I said. "Or trying to."
"And let me tell you something else, Miss Ives!" Gustobald continued.
"Zephyr is on to something," I said. "I think you did it, Gustobald."
"What? I see. Well, yes. It was a brilliant plan. Perseverance and—"
The boundary of the Everwood was stark against the main road, as the First Way extended to all points east. The path was inadvertently maintained by the frequent caravans going to and fro. Zephyr slowed as he crossed over the forest boundary, affording me a view of the treetops that few have ever seen. The wood was sparse near the road, but farther in, trees were clustered so tightly I couldn't catch the slightest glimpse of the ground beneath. The forested mountains in the distance seemed untouched by humans, and I wondered if any rogue wizards had chosen that place for their home.
Zephyr dove suddenly and veered off the road at a conspicuous juniper tree. Seconds later he landed on the exposed root of a dead stump. It was suddenly quiet now without the wind about us, though Zephyr didn't seem to notice the difference. He was focused on his duty, jumping from the stump to the ground, pecking at the leaves and uncovering loose earth. It took him five minutes of burrowing the soil to find what he was looking for, but eventually he unearthed the signet stamper, no less lustrous for its time in the dirt.
"I found the prince's seal," I said. "It was buried in the Everwood."
Gustobald closed his eyes and nodded. "The bird must have seen it hidden just before he was released with his ransom note."
"Why hide it?" I asked. "Why didn't they destroy it?"
"There's a simple answer, and it will be their undoing. They couldn't risk having it found on their person. But what if they needed it again in the future? Never could they have guessed that their feathered accomplice would turn on them—from beyond the grave, no less. The real question would be why someone would release a carrier pigeon within an hour's ride of the palace. Either the bird was released by an agent of Lord Ashdown—"
"Or by someone who lives here." I nodded. "I'm bringing the seal back. What's next?"
"I doubt the seal has been magically cleansed. Don't let anyone touch it, since we can be certain the last person to do so was eit
her the prince or his abductor, or someone otherwise implicated. I'm ashamed to say this but—"
"We need a diviner," I said.
"We need a diviner."
"There you are!" Sentinel Chalke was on the approach, both wands drawn. "You two will be the death of me. Literally. You won't be satisfied until my head is on a spike."
"See here, young man," Gustobald began, but dropped his attitude when Chalke leveled his wand. The necromancer put his hands up in plain view and gave me a startled glance. Times like this always made me wonder which one of us was the master and which the apprentice.
"It's time you left," Chalke said, pointing his second wand at my chest.
"Sentinel Chalke," I said. "Look what you're doing. You're not going to kill us. Inspector Raines said we have until sunset today. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you don't want us to uncover the truth." I earned Gustobald's approval, but I could tell by Chalke's eyes that he was ready to strike. "Okay, Sentinel. Relax. Take us to our room and we'll collect our things."
"Your belongings have already been taken to the palace gates," he said. "Let's go."
"Even my calling staff?" Gustobald asked.
"Yes. Believe me. We don't want that vile thing in our midst."
"Can you please just listen?" I asked. "We found the prince's seal."
"Unless you've got the prince in your pocket, I suggest you move it now!"
Gustobald fell into step beside me, so I pushed his hands down to restore some of our dignity. I walked as slowly as possible, until Chalke complained for me to hurry up. A few steps from the staircase, Zephyr came in for a landing on my arm. Thankfully, Chalke didn't shoot him down. I grabbed the bird in my hands and held him out to Gustobald, who opened his satchel to let the bird drop the prince's seal inside.
"We're not leaving the palace," Gustobald whispered in an awkward voice from the corner of his mouth. "Not when we're this close."
"What are you going to do?" I asked. "Don't get us killed."
"I won't be treated like this. I have a reputation to uphold."
"Oh, forget your pride, Gustobald."
"What pride? I'm the world's foremost wizard-detective."