Page 103 of An Archer's Redemption

The audience chamber doors flew open and banged against the stone of the walls as Mage Ernest raced into the hall with a royal page a step behind.

“Majesty! Mage Dane Ernest,” the flustered page called belatedly.

Everyone at the Council table startled at the sudden interruption.

“Majesty! They’re gone! They’re justgone!” Ernest cried out, a strange mix of terror, anguish, and helplessness suffusing itself into his words.

His expression was even sadder than his voice. His eyes were wild, and his arms flailed as he ran. Halfway down the aisle, he seemed to remember where he was and slowed to a not-so-stately trot until he stood, huffing, before his Queen.

“Mage Ernest? Are you all right?” I stood, my own eyes rising at the man’s unusual agitation.

“No, Majesty.Noneof us are.” The Mage remembered to bow, then rose and met my eyes. “Gifts are gone.”

“What are you babbling about? Whose Gifts?” Ethan asked in annoyance.

“Majesty.” Ernest sucked in a few breaths. “Allof our Gifts have vanished. I can no longer sense the flow of magic. None of our Mages can cast even the simplest spell.”

I shot a glance at Ethan, then turned to Dask. “I cannot tell if my Gift works without an animal nearby. Treasurer Dask, please try yours?”

Dask shot me a glare.

“Barnabus, do it. You are the only one present who still believes your Gift is a secret.”

Amused eyes turned to Dask as he looked from Ethan to Cribbs.

A heartbeat later, panic flooded his eyes.

“Majesty, I cannot—”

“Dear Spirits,” I muttered.

“Majesty, people all over the city are pouring into the Guild Hall, seeking a remedy for what they believe to be an ailment. This is not limited to Mages. Our Gifts,all of them, are gone.”

Chaos erupted as every Councilor stood and began talking at once. It was impossible to hear what any one person was saying as they shouted over each other.

Mage Ernest sank to the floor and pulled his knees to his chest, like some child whose parents had just taken away his favorite toy.

I drew a deep, calming breath, then another, as my father taught me. He’d warned of many things, but his lessons on crises were his most frequent—and most forceful.

“Jess.”He’d stabbed his forefinger for emphasis.“Every crisis will be different, but two things will always remain beneath the noise. First, everyone will look to you for leadership, even if you have no knowledge, background, or training on the matter at hand. You will be Queen, the one wearing the crown. As such, people will expect—no, they will demand—you to make the impossible decisions.

“Second, you will want to run out of the room. Your heart will race, and sweat will pour from places you never knew could sweat. Those same people demanding leadership will see it all. They will watch your every movement, hang on every word. They will seek meaning where none was offered, all in some desperate attempt to feel secure in a time of uncertainty. You must gird yourself, especially in those times. Find strength within yourself. Widen your stance, breathe slowly and deeply.Speak deliberately and with purpose, if for no other reason than to buy yourself time to think.”

In that moment, with Mage Ernest in a near meltdown, my Councilors chattering like temple gossips, and word beginning to spread through the city like summer flames, I knew the wisdom of his words.

And I breathed again.

“Everyone, sit.” My voice pierced through the cacophony, and every head turned. “Do not stand there staring at me. I said sit!”

Slowly, the leaders of the Kingdom gathered themselves and took their seats. Ethan helped Mage Ernest to his feet and ushered him to his chair at the foot of the table. All eyes turned toward me as I stood before my own chair.

“I want each of you to listen to me right now. I need you. The people need you.This Kingdomneeds each of you.” I looked around the table with a stern gaze. “The people look to us for strength, andthey willsee strengthwhen they look at each of you. Do you hear me?”

Mutters of “Yes, Majesty” scattered around the table.

“Good.” I took my seat, back straight, head high. “Sheriff, send your birds. Find me answers regarding the killings. Chancellor Marks, I want other birds sent to every guild in every nation, starting with Melucia. Find out if their Gifts are also affected.”

General Sento, my new Minister of War, began to protest.

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