Page 26 of Feathered Thief

After a hearty breakfast, Iga was in fine fettle, and so was Kazik. The innkeeper provided clear directions to the royal palace and a blessing on their way.Today,Kazik thought,I shall see Helena, and perhaps we will be married very soon!

The terrain included both farmland and forest, with forest prevailing as the mountains grew more rugged. Iga took all in stride with her smooth jogtrot. After only a few rest stops, Kazik caught his first glimpse of Castle Valga’s tiny conical towers above distant treetops on the mountainside—the first time he’d seen them since Geoffroi and Solara brought him to visit Helena. That memory made him smile.

This time, he would be confident and suave. He would take her in his arms and hold her close. Maybe even kiss her—he was pretty sure she wouldn’t mind.

His smile widened, and he heaved a happy sigh.

Once Helena and he were married, they could relax and make plans for a future together. He was certain King Ryszard would be helpful.

“We’ll be climbing soon, girl,” he warned Iga. “I promise to be patient for your sake.”

Kazik glimpsed a waterfall upstream, just as he remembered. Dusk was falling by the time they rounded a curve and approached a drawbridge over a rushing river. The castle’s towers suddenly loomed, and its gates stood wide open. However, Kazik saw no guards on the perimeter walls and no movement in the outer courtyard. No torches had been lit. A fire somewhere in the courtyard sent up a thin stream of smoke.

“Well, let’s cross, girl.” Snorting quietly, Iga stepped onto the bridge. No problem. But as soon as her hooves struck earth on the far side, Kazik detected that unknown fay magic, exactlyas he’d sensed it in the corridor outside his father’s council chamber.

Iga stopped short, nostrils flaring. “Do you feel it too?” Kazik addressed his companion, mostly to calm himself. “Did it follow us here? Should I be concerned?”

Iga’s ears tipped back, then snapped forward. She wasn’t breathing hard, but it had been a grueling day even with multiple rest stops. Nevertheless, she was so restless that Kazik, with an arrow to his bowstring, guided her with his legs. “This magic feels otherworldly but not evil. It helped me at the castle, so maybe it will help us here.”

Iga was unconvinced, and it was purely out the goodness of her heart that she sidled through the gateway and stopped short with a low squeal.

Bodies lay scattered across the courtyard, and that otherworldly magic was everywhere.

9

PRIZE AND SURPRISE

Kazik’s first reaction was open-mouthed shock.

What army would attack Castle Valga?

Helena!!

He panicked briefly, but there was no blood. No visible injuries.

A plague? No stench of death.

With night quickly falling, he slid the arrow back into his quiver and dismounted. After several deep breaths, he conjured a little ball of light—a skill he really should have practiced more—and approached a fallen guard. The man lay on his side, and when Kazik rolled him to his back, he mumbled. Nearby, a huge white dog wearing a spiked collar woofed and thumped her tail on the paving stones. Sound asleep. Everyone in the courtyard was asleep.

A curse? It didn’t feel evil, but it was a potent spell. Afayspell.

He sprang to his feet. Helena and her father had to be here somewhere.

Sensing a fay presence, he raised magical wards and whipped out his short sword. “Who are you?” His voice cracked. “What is your business here? Why are all these people asleep?”

A shadowy figure materialized near the wall, shaking its head. “You don’t need that sword.” A bright glowing ball appeared, putting Kazik’s effort to shame. The mage studied him by its magical light.

Kazik stared back. The fay man seemedblurry. Nevertheless, Kazik believed him and sheathed his sword. “You were in my father’s study yesterday.”

“Ah!” The stranger’s tone brightened. “You surprise me. Yes, I was there.”

“Who are you, and what are you doing here? For that matter, what were you doing there?”

Instead of answering, the stranger stated, “You are the prince of Ostrów and heir to the archduchy of Wroclaw. You are also the only child of an unratedburvisand an unratedsahira. Quite the mismatch, in my opinion. In the notes I was given, I read that your mother had you trained, at least partially, as acaroven.However, your magic, like your parents’, is unregistered.” He paused, then muttered, “Iseverycountry on this continent unlawfully ruled by a mage?”

“How do you—” Kazik tried again, “Who told you all this?”

“Naturally, I was briefed at the emergency WMC meeting before accepting this assignment. Now, tell me: have you ever seen the Princess Helena of Zyrardów?”

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