Anna sat stiffly, not reciprocating the affection.
Elizabeth was looking at the Slave-Master. Her expression was one I’d seen when she bargained or dealt with people in Crestfallen, those who opposed or withheld information. It was not that she doubted what he’d told us, but that she thought there was more unsaid. Since we’d found her, she had acted differently, more confident and less like a child.
Her opinions were stronger, her attitude more demanding. Instead of talking around subjects as was her norm, she went directly to the information in question. Instead of asking, she demanded.
It was a subtle change, but one Kendra and I had both noticed and raised an eyebrow over. Our little princess was growing up. Also, there was Avery who sat aside and contributed nothing. As if reading my mind, Elizabeth turned to him. “Your thoughts?”
He smirked. “I was wondering how to explain to the king and to the king-to-be the changes in you. In Trager, you were much the same as in Crestfallen. Now, only a few weeks have passed, but you have grown into a true Royal, one ready to assume important duties in ruling a kingdom.”
“Your thoughts on this situation?” she continued as if she hadn’t heard her first compliment in her relationship with Avery.
“I came here to rescue an old friend who is dead. Without the three of you, I’d have sailed home as ignorant as when I sailed away.”
“Do you have any suggestions?” Elizabeth asked.
Even the Slave-Master wore a grin as Avery said, “I live to serve. Your father, your brother, and you. What is your wish?”
She closed her eyes for a moment. Then they snapped open as she came to a conclusion. “Dire must know of this danger. If we should fail, or be killed, our kingdom is at risk of being taken as easily as Trager and Vin, and with the same results. I command you to return to Dire and inform those in need. Tell them all you know.”
“And you?” he asked respectfully.
“It appears we are going to Kaon.”
Her pronouncement was not expected, and it allowed for no argument. The Slave-Master said, “It happens that I’m going that way. My caravan will make its own way. Perhaps I can be of service.”
I expected her to decline, but she said, “We’ll appreciate any help. Also, can you spare a detail to escort Avery to the port in Dagger and see him safely on board a ship?”
He said, “Few people concern themselves with Wandering Priests, and he will draw even less attention than the four Kaon warriors who will ‘happen’ to be traveling in the same direction. Remaining out of sight without drawing attention is worth ten guards.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth turned to us. “Flier, you have more than repaid your debt to Damon and are free to go your own way.”
“I’ll stay.”
She rolled her eyes as if he was making a dangerous mistake without proper consideration. “Your choice. Now, Anna. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I’ll stay, too.”
Elizabeth said, “You are a child.”
“A child who ferreted out the spy in our midst when no adults did. And one who talks to Damon without words, even over long distances.” Anna didn’t back down in her words, meaning, or attitude.
“What’s that mean?” Elizabeth said, then quickly added in a raised voice. “Clear the room.”
The servants and guards all glanced at the Slave-Master before departing, but once the first moved, it was like a race to see who would remain last. In a few moments, there were six of us.
The Slave-Master said, “Do you wish me to leave?”
“No. There can be no secrets between us, and you’ve decided to make yourself one of our group. Anna, please go on, and keep your voice soft.”
“We use our minds to talk. Damon talks to me, too. Like Kendra does to the dragon.”
Elizabeth fixed both Kendra and me with a look that warned us to be truthful. “If true, what else is there I don’t know about?”
I said, “Kendra can ‘see’ those with magical abilities from a distance of about a day’s travel.”
“Mages and sorceresses?” Elizabeth asked.
Kendra muttered, “Yes. I can’t know who they are, but I know they are there and can point to them. The same with my dragon.”
“So, it’s your dragon, now?” she said.
“Funny. I think Damon used those same words to me a few days ago. Yes, it is now my dragon.”
My sister was treading close to being snippy, and Elizabeth was a princess and not used to the tone. Before war broke out between them, I said, “My magic powers, such as they are, have increased. Not mage-strong, but more than before.”
Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows as she thought before speaking—another new thing she was doing. “Tell me. How would you compare your powers to that of a mage?”
I said, “Like a small boy might wave his little carving knife in a mock threat to one of the King’s Guards.”
She gave me one nod of understanding, then continued, “And compare a mage we are familiar with to this new one, this Young Mage.”
“About the same difference, I think,” I told her.
“I thought so. Your magic will do us no good at all.”
That annoyed me. “I wouldn’t say that.”
She smiled sweetly, trying to disarm my anger. “What we need is your bravery and mind, and perhaps skill with a blade.”
“Go ahead and try, but I’ll remember this insult and make you pay.” She flashed her sisterly smile at me, the one that said, go ahead and try. I’ll be ready for you.
The others took our banter seriously. Rather than explain, I motioned for her to continue her thoughts. She said in an officious manner I’d never seen before, “We have no choice but to go to Kaon. Avery, on your return trip, I want you to search for a man called Will. Do you know him?”
“I do not.”
“A minor appointment from our king. He was sent by my father to protect me. He was on the Gallant but did his job so well nobody there will remember him. I’ll give you a description before you leave. If you do not find him, tell my father of the wonderful job he did. I’m certain he’ll show up in Dire.”
I appreciated her explanation, both because it was real and because this was not the time to hold things back from the others. If we were going to survive and be successful, we needed to trust each other.
Avery said, “I prefer to go with you.”
“No. My father must know what is happening and make preparations in case we fail. I suggest he also spread the information to all nearby kingdoms and have them do the same.”
Avery started to speak, then halted as he considered her words. Finally, he said, “You consider this threat that important?”
“More.” She didn’t elaborate, which had the impact of making it even more of a threat. In the past, Avery would have challenged her and argued with his way of twisting words and meanings. That he didn’t do so indicated their relationship had reached a new level.
She turned to the Slave-Master. “You are welcome to travel with us but expect us to ask hundreds of questions daily. The smallest tidbit of information may help.” She looked at Kendra. “I want you to have your dragon positioned close at all times. Can you see what the dragon does, or can it relay information to you?”
“We touch minds, but it is not intelligent. I can point the way for it to fly or order it to attack but that is about all.” Kendra looked away as if seeing into the distance. She pointed to the northwest, in the direction of Kaon. “A mage appeared right there.”
“Just now?” Elizabeth asked. “You can tell?”