Page 12 of Kingdom of Locks

“Nothing of note,” said Tora calmly, buttering a roll. “A late thaw on the western side of the mountain range led to some flooding. But no homes were affected. Only some pastureland.”

Amell grunted, unsurprised that nothing interesting had happened in Fernford during his absence.

“I’m meeting tomorrow with the farmers who were impacted,” King Bern informed his son. “You will join me, Amell.”

“Yes, Father,” said Amell dutifully, although he made no particular effort to hide his lack of enthusiasm for the dull task.

“How was the wedding of King Basil and Princess—or I should say Queen Wren?” Queen Pietra asked. She clucked her tongue. “A couple of teenagers to be monarchs. A sad state of affairs for Entolia. And it’s little better in Albury—worse in some ways, since their young queen is a commoner.”

“Are you so disparaging of commoners?” Amell asked, a little surprised by his mother’s words.

“Of course not,” she said mildly. “A prosperous kingdom is built on a population of happy, hardworking commoners. But they shouldn’t be brought into a royal family lightly. Albury is at a disadvantage with one of its monarchs having received no court training prior to her marriage.”

Amell shrugged, not especially interested in discussing Alburian politics. “Well, I don’t envy Basil,” he said candidly. He raised his wine in his father’s direction. “Speaking of which, to your good health and long life, Father.”

King Bern indulged in a rare smile of amusement as his son drained the goblet before continuing.

“But I think he and his new queen will do a good job of leading their kingdom into better days. They have plenty of wealth to assist in the process, thanks to their mines.”

“Yes,” said Queen Pietra, studying her son with what she evidently felt was a casual air. “Entolia is certainly a kingdom on the rise. How did you find Princess Zinnia?”

Tora almost choked on her wine in an attempt to suppress a laugh. “Subtle, Mother,” she said appreciatively.

Amell just rolled his eyes. “Princess Zinnia was in excellent health, Mother, and as uninterested in marrying me as I am in marrying her.”

“What’s this?” King Bern interjected, his startled expression suggesting that someone at least had missed the queen’s not-so-subtle hint. “You’re not after the boy about getting married, are you, Pietra? There’s plenty of time for that. Eighteen is much too young to be hassling him.”

“I wasn’t hassling anyone,” said the queen with dignity. “Not but what marriage might steady you, Amell. I merely asked how Princess Zinnia is. Just because she happens to be one of the eligible princesses who—”

“Must I marry a princess?” Amell interrupted with a touch of anxiety. “Because Zinnia and I really wouldn’t suit, Mother, and she’s notone ofthe eligible princesses—she’s theonlyeligible princess in Solstice! Her sisters are all too young for me, and none of the other kingdoms have unmarried princesses.”

“No, you don’t have to marry a princess,” said his father. The words were made less reassuring by the dampening tone he always used when he felt Amell was getting too excited. “There are many perfectly appropriate young women within the court right here in Fernford. But as I say, there will be time enough to think of such things.”

Amell nodded, a little relieved, but his mother apparently wasn’t finished.

“You can marry within our kingdom, of course,” she said, with a hint of regret. “But an alliance would certainly be nice. Now that Entolia and Mistra have a marriage alliance, as well as the one between Bansford and Listernia, we’re at risk of being left behind.” She turned to her daughter, her expression brightening. “I’m forgetting the Mistrans again. Now that they’re no longer swans, there are five unmarried princes.”

“Oh good,” said Tora dryly. “I can be the lucky offspring to sacrifice myself to an alliance.” She glanced at her brother. “You’re off the hook, Amell.”

“Much obliged.” He grinned at her, raising his re-filled goblet in her direction. “Shall I drink to your marital happiness now?”

“All this nonsense about sacrifices,” scolded the queen.

Tora gave her mother an innocent look. “I’m just trying to clarify, Mother. So the prerequisites for my groom are that he be a prince, and a human? No other requirements?”

The queen scowled at her daughter. “This is no time to be flippant, Tora. At twenty years old you should be taking this matter much more seriously. I was not only married but expecting you by the time I turned twenty.”

“What happened to not hassling anyone?” protested Tora hotly.

Amell sent her a sympathetic wince, and he heard Furn shift slightly behind him. For all his complaints about their overbearing ways, Amell knew that in some regards his parents were even harder on Tora. He’d often commented on it to Furn, and although the guard never expressed an opinion aloud, Amell had the sense that he agreed.

“Your situation is different from Amell’s,” said the queen crisply, “as you are well aware.”

“We’re not doing this again, Mother,” Tora said with evident frustration. “Not here.” Her eyes flicked to Furn, and Queen Pietra’s followed.

“Oh, Sir Furnis,” she said, seeming surprised to find him still standing at attention behind Amell. “You must be eager to return to your own home after such a long journey. You needn’t stay.”

“Hold on, Pietra,” said King Bern patiently. “He’s waiting to give his report on the Entolian trip.” He nodded to the guard. “Go on, Sir Furnis.”

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