Page 95 of Thorns & Fire
Wren’s brow furrowed as she glanced at the door, waiting for Dessa to burst through at any moment.
‘If you’re this antsy, you may as well tell me what happened to getyouin such a state,’ Zavier said.‘Or are your secrets only good enough for Dessa’s ears?’
Wren snorted.‘Since when are you interested?’
‘Since I need something to make this lesson a tad less dull.’
Normally, Wren would have laughed, but the hollowness within her only widened.‘I’d keep that to yourself.Master Crawford has excellent hearing, if you recall...’
Zavier rolled his eyes.‘Dessa was careless, as usual.’He motioned to the vials of corrosive agent they had created.‘Her handwriting looks like a child’s.How are we meant to read these labels, for Furies’ sake?’
‘It’s not that bad.’Wren picked one up and pointed to the admittedly messy scrawl.‘That’s the date, those are the ingredients...’
This time it was Zavier who looked to the door, clicking his tongue in annoyance.‘Alright, she’s definitely late.We still need to test everything to ensure it can be reproduced,andwe still need to develop application methods and safety measures.It’d be nice if she showed up to pull her weight.’
‘Ease up,’ Wren said with a note of warning.‘She’s never let us down before.’
‘First time for everything,’ Zavier repeated darkly.
‘You’re in a mood today,’ she observed.‘Why don’tyoutellmewhat happened?Is it something to do with your opus?’
Scoffing, Zavier shuffled his notes.‘Not even close.How about we both mind our own business?’
‘It’s called showing an interest in your friends’ lives, Zavier...You might like to try it sometime.’
‘I assure you, I would not.The only thing I’d like is to complete this damn task so I can get back to—’
The dungeon door swung open and in strode Torj and Cal, their expressions hardened.
‘What is the meaning of this?’Master Crawford demanded.‘I was assured that there would be no disruption to my lessons.’
Cal had the audacity to shrug.‘Prince Zavier and Princess Elwren’s presence is required by the Guild Master of Thezmarr and the High Chancellor.We’re just following orders.’
Wren’s gaze cut to Zavier, whose brows were raised.
‘We’re being summoned?’she asked, directing the question at Cal.
‘It certainly seems that way,’ Master Crawford snapped, motioning for them to leave.‘Get out before you disrupt any more of my lesson.’
Wren gathered her things quickly, hoping that Dessa would soon show up to pack away their work, and followed Zavier from the dungeon.
With Torj and Cal stationed outside, Wren and Zavier entered the High Chancellor’s chambers to the sound of raised voices and the thudding of fists against a table.All eyes went to the pair as they approached, and Wren’s hand drifted to her belt of vials, seeking the familiar comfort.
At an oval table before her were more than a dozen agitated faces, some familiar: Lady Liora, Queen Regent of Harenth; Audra, the Guild Master of Thezmarr; and King Leiko of Tver, who sat next to Darian Devereux, Lord Lucian and a handful of other noble figures.The Master Alchemists of Drevenor were also present, though they stood with their backs to the wall, not seated at the table.The only friendly face was Kipp’s, but his expression was oneof stone as he took stock of the room, his gaze lingering on the Devereux men.
‘We were summoned?’Zavier said curtly.
‘Yes,’ King Leiko replied.‘We are here to discuss the threat that Silas the Kingsbane and the People’s Vanguard pose to the midrealms.It’s high time the Terlings and the Embervales contributed.Take a seat.’
Already, Wren didn’t like his tone.King Leiko had tearfully thanked her at the end of the war, both for her heroics at the battle of Notos and for saving him from King Artos’ empath control...Apparently the King of Tver had a short memory, for he looked at her now with contempt.
Saying nothing, Wren slid into the empty chair offered to her.She looked to Farissa across the room, but her former mentor’s expression betrayed nothing.
‘We were just discussing the People’s Vanguard and how they are gathering numbers by the day,’ King Leiko told them testily.‘It has been suggested by some sources that they are raising an army to march on each of the capital cities.’
Wren’s blood ran cold.‘What—’
‘What sources?’Zavier demanded, cutting her off.
