Page 50 of Kingdom of Feathers

Basil rubbed his hands together absently, turning this information over. “That suggests an unbalanced mind, though,” he said, more to himself than anything.

“I’ve heard of such things before,” the merchant chipped in unexpectedly. “People who’ve lost a child adopting a dog in its place, encouraging the creature to sleep in the child’s bed, that sort of thing. And to not just suffer the loss of all her brothers, but to actually witness their violent deaths at the tender age of eleven…well, it would be enough to overset many people.”

“But she’s not overset,” Basil said, with conviction. “I just can’t believe that.”

One of the guards cleared his throat. “Just because she’s…well, pretty, Your Majesty—”

“Dragon’s flame, man!” Basil interrupted with a laugh. “Do you suspect me of an entanglement?” He sighed, running a hand down his face. “That sounds very pleasant—if only I had time for something like that.” His voice turned dry as he thought of all the mess his father had left him, which he had in turn left behind in Tola. “Maybe in ten years.”

He scanned the group, looking for any sign that there was more information to come. But everyone remained silent, watching him expectantly. His eyes settled last on Lord Baldwin.

“You’ve been very successful at ferreting out information in no time at all,” he said mildly. “How did you manage it?”

Lord Baldwin bowed slightly. “I’m glad to be of service, Your Majesty. I found that people are willing enough to talk, if you know how to go about it.”

Basil felt a slight crease form between his brows. Thinking of all Lord Baldwin’s comments of “general opinion” and “people think”, he wasn’t entirely satisfied. He had no difficultly believing that a servant had gleaned gossip from her counterparts, but that locals would be as willing to speak to a visiting Entolian lord seemed less likely. But he decided not to press the matter at present.

“Well,” he said curtly, his gaze encompassing all of them. “Thank you for your reports. I’m expected at lunch in a moment, so we can discuss these matters further tomorrow.”

Everyone filed out quickly at the dismissal, and Basil was soon striding for the dining hall, flanked by the two guards who’d remained outside his chambers while the group spoke. Basil again caught a glimpse of a swan through the window, flying alongside his path. It wasn’t on the garden side of the castle, but on the outside. The birds couldn’t be that tame, then, if they still roamed beyond the castle walls.

Basil chuckled at himself. The bird was following him around like a spaniel. Clearly it was extremely tame. Thinking humorously of the protective way the swans had flocked around Princess Wren when he’d dared to laugh with her, he sent his avian companion a jesting wave. For a moment the bird seemed to stare at him, then it angled its sleek body upward, disappearing from view as it flew toward the sky.

Still smiling to himself, Basil entered the dining hall. His heart lifted at the sight of Princess Wren, already seated in the place she’d occupied at dinner the night before. Not waiting to be told whether he was also destined for the same place, he hurried to her side, seating himself before he could be directed elsewhere.

“There you are, Princess Wren,” he said cheerfully, as she bent her head in greeting. “I was beginning to fear your swans had turned on you, and dragged you into the lake.”

She shook her head, not managing to check the smile of amusement that blossomed on her face. Something in her expression told Basil that she had no fear of her birds turning on her.

Basil had barely sat down when everyone around him hastened to their feet. Seeing King Lloyd and Queen Liana entering the room, he copied the motion, his gaze resting thoughtfully on the monarchs. In appearance, Princess Wren was quite like her mother, he noted. Although she owed her rather determined chin to King Lloyd.

The Mistran king’s gaze moved over the assembled group, his eyes resting briefly on Basil before he inclined his head. Basil returned the gesture, unconcerned by his counterpart’s coldness. He’d already decided, in conference with Lord Baldwin, that he would be wisest to wait a day or two before broaching the topic of the war with King Lloyd. Clearly he’d set the other king’s back up, and needed to give him time to cool down.

The idea of such a delay would have chafed Basil unbearably only days ago. But now he found that with the prospect of negotiating with Princess Wren in the interim—not to mention the challenge of unraveling her secrets—he was quite content to let King Lloyd’s anger wear itself out.

The princess had one thing going for her, he reflected, as he enjoyed some particularly well cooked venison. She didn’t distract from the food with polite chatter. Basil spoke little either to her, or to Lord Baldwin on his other side, during the course of the meal. But he was keenly aware of the princess’s presence all the same.

As soon as King Lloyd rose, signaling the end of the meal, Basil turned expectantly to Princess Wren. But before he could ask for her promised explanation, he realized that the Mistran king hadn’t left the room as he’d supposed, but was moving toward his guest. Basil pushed himself to his feet in an unhurried motion, facing his fellow monarch eye to eye. Or as close as possible given that King Lloyd was several inches taller than Basil.

“Your Majesty,” Basil said, inclining his head.

King Lloyd didn’t return the gesture or the greeting, instead watching Basil with hard eyes. A man Basil didn’t recognize was hovering just behind the king. His dark hair was streaked with silver, but he was clearly much younger than his sovereign. A nobleman, perhaps. Certainly not a commoner. His jewelry was too ostentatious for that, Basil thought, casting a glance over the red gemstones glittering on the man’s hands and lapels.

“Care to explain, King Basil,” King Lloyd said tightly, “why you’ve brought an enchantress into my kingdom with you?”

Basil blinked, taken off guard by the question. “There isn’t much to explain, Your Majesty. I thought it might be useful to have someone who’s able to sense magic accompany the delegation, and she kindly agreed to come.” He looked between the two men before him. “If I’ve erred in not registering her presence, I apologize. I didn’t think any kingdom but Bansford required such a process.”

“Of course we don’t require registration,” said King Lloyd impatiently. “But I would like to know what your intent was in failing to mention her magic to me.”

“No ill intent,” Basil said lightly. “Merely thoughtlessness. I don’t know about Mistra, but enchanters are common enough in Entolia that their presence isn’t considered especially remarkable.”

King Lloyd looked less pleased than ever, as though he resented the suggestion that Entolia had more enchanters than Mistra did. Basil looked again at the man standing behind the king, who was now staring at Princess Wren. Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Basil followed his gaze and realized that he was looking not at her, but at the red and gold ring she wore around her neck. Sudden understanding blazed.

“I take it you’re an enchanter?” he said, causing the man’s eyes to flit back to him.

The Mistran bowed a little stiffly. “I am, Your Majesty,” he confirmed.

Basil hid a smile. He shouldn’t be surprised that King Lloyd had asked an enchanter from his own people to check Basil’s delegation, much as Basil had brought an enchantress in an attempt to check over the Mistrans’ mysterious princess.

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