Page 73 of Kingdom of Locks

One of the guards opened the door for the royal siblings, who hurried inside to find not only their father, but their mother seated before the enormous desk.

“Amell,” the queen said, rising with a smile. “I’m glad to see you back. It feels like we hardly ever see you anymore.”

“It has been a bit like that, hasn’t it?” Amell responded cheerfully, bowing over her hand. His smile dimmed. “Wish I was here under better circumstances, though.”

She sighed as she resumed her seat. “Don’t we all.”

“Are we absolutely certain an escaped prisoner was the murderer?” Amell asked his father, as soon as they’d exchanged greetings.

“As certain as we can be,” the king said. “Witnesses described the man’s unevenly cut hair, and the body showed signs of magical attack.”

A shudder went over the queen, and Tora looked as troubled as Amell felt.

“The worst of it is that this particular prisoner has been spotted several times, but managed to elude the soldiers on each occasion,” said the king. “He’s obviously very skilled in evasion.”

Amell groaned.

“I’ve been discussing the matter with my captain,” the king went on. “And I’m inclined to follow his recommendation.”

“Which is?” Amell pressed.

“To issue the order to kill any fugitives on sight,” said the king, his voice heavy. “If that order had been in place when this prisoner was pursued the first time, the murder wouldn’t have occurred.”

Amell chewed on his lip, thinking. It was a grim situation to find themselves in, but he could certainly see his father’s point.

“What do you think, Amell?”

“Me?” The question startled Amell so much, he froze, stilling his tapping foot. “You want my opinion?”

“Of course,” said King Bern smoothly, as if he asked his son’s advice on matters of state every day. “You’re my liaison to the prison. You’re the one closest to the whole situation.”

Amell squirmed. He didn’t feel close to the situation. Physically, he might be near the prison most of the time, but his mind was almost always far away. He brought it into line now, trying to consider the question dispassionately.

“I don’t like the idea of hunting them down like animals,” he said. “But letting innocent citizens be killed by them is even worse. It would be different if the whole prison was on the run. But the ones who escaped were all high security, and, from what the warden says, almost all violent offenders.”

His father nodded slowly. “I see your thoughts align with mine,” he said, sounding pleased.

Amell gave him a tentative smile. He was glad to bond with his father, but he wished it could be over something other than ordering citizens to be killed on sight, whatever crimes they’d committed.

“I’d like you to stick around Fernford for a few days,” his father told him. “I’m going to send the warden some reinforcements along with the new order, and I’d like you to travel with them.”

“Yes, Father,” said Amell, his heart sinking a little.

His lateness meant that he’d missed the official briefing from the captain, but the king summarized it for all three members of his family. It was with sober steps that Tora and Amell left the study a short time later.

“Furn.” Tora’s greeting drew Amell’s attention to a familiar figure standing respectfully halfway down the corridor.

“Furn, I didn’t expect you,” Amell said. “I thought you’d want the afternoon.”

The guard bowed slightly. “I’ve been home and changed, Your Highness, and I’m ready to assist as needed.”

“You’re far too dedicated to your role, Furn,” said Amell, who still hadn’t quite forgiven the guard for being willing to die in his place a month before. “You should be resting while you have the chance.”

Furn smiled. “Thank you, Your Highness, but I’m perfectly rested.”

“I can see that,” said Tora, her head tilted strangely. Amell stared at her, wondering whether she had something in her eye. “You look in excellent health, Furn. And that’s a very nice color on you.”

Furn swallowed visibly, shifting his feet in a way Amell knew denoted discomfort.

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