Page 64 of The Kingdom's Crown

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I'd refreshed driedflowers to fresh and gilded their glass vases. Cleared the foggy windows with a careful sprinkle of power and soaked a cryptic project of Simon's, which Aric had referred to as 'mostly safe,' with a good supply of magic. I'd cluttered the mage's office with magic and only gone back to the conduit to take a more careful supply once more.

"The conduit was fashioned by one of Kimmery's best mages, Ambald Ymfrey," Nathan said slowly, rolling a glittering marble around the surface of his work table. It held a scene of the palace tucked delicately inside that I'd made upon his request.

"That name sounds more Dunsany than Kimmerian, doesn't it?" I asked.

"She's very clever," Simon said to Aric, and he grinned back as I shot him a glare.

"There were rumors he was foreign," Nathan said, nodding. "Very ambitious man, very experimental. Great favorite of the queen and council's."

I sat up sharply. "The council?"

"Indeed. They had just started managing appointments of mages on the queen's behalf," Nathan said. "And they took a great interest in Ambald's work with the conduit."

"I'll just bet they did," Aric muttered, leaning forward at my side. "You have his notes?"

"Of course," Nathan said stiffly.

"Head Mage Hawes, in all your theory and research, haven't you ever wondered if the magic, thesource, is meant to be rich in Kimmery?" I asked, my hands clasped in my lap as I leaned forward to catch Nathan's eye. "We've found texts and records that show that the queens of Kimmery took great care to visit the north, to participate in the harvest festivals, just as I did. The north has only suffered so greatly since that tradition ended. Since the council has taken such responsibilities!"

"Even the samples of the past fifty years here in the south have changed, Nathan," Simon said, and I was glad he was taking care to speak more gently. It seemed like the two men had a companionably antagonistic relationship usually, but at least Nathan was willing to listen.

"Mages aren't learning nearly the work they were when I was younger," Nathan murmured.

"And it's the council appointing the teachers at the royal academy," Simon said, guiding the other man.

"In every breath of magic, and every intentional act, I have never seen Bryony's power do harm," Aric said.

I flashed him a look, thinking of the crown of blades I'd fashioned. But Aric was right, the magic had only done what I'd needed to protect myself. I'd been the one to commit the violence, and I was wholly conscious during the act.

"The conduit has generations of queen's magic in its facets. How much was itreallymeant to hold?" I asked.

Nathan and Simon shared a significant look and I wanted to scramble between them and demand an explanation, but Aric's hand on my shoulder held me in place until they were ready to speak.

"We've had concerns about how long it would remain stable," Simon said.

Nathan rushed to speak over him. "We can't simply release that excess of power into the capital all at once! It needs to be contained in some fashion!"

"Of course not," I said, more to assuage Nathan's temper than whether or not I really agreed. "But I can take power out of that conduit. Store it in another. What access to the source does the royal academy have?"

Nathan perked up at that, and Simon winked in approval at me.

"Ley stones could be fashioned and buried, a slower way of putting some of the magic back into the ground. Place them in the most fallow areas," Aric said, helping himself to a piece of parchment and a convenient inkwell.

"We will send Kenneth to the north for your samples," Nathan said, sitting up in his chair, a kind of fierce brightness in his gaze behind the smudged spectacles. "Better to have him out of our hair while we make decisions anyway."

"I'll set my experiments aside. This sounds like more fun," Simon agreed.

"Gentleman, may I recommend you not mention your new efforts to the council?" I asked.

Nathan made a soft sound of dismissal. "Thomlinson doesn't bother with us. And he knows next to nothing of what we do."

"We'll send him in the wrong direction if anything comes up," Simon said with a nod. "We'll likely need your help when it comes time to unload the conduit, princess."

"If," Nathan muttered.

"Aric and I will assist in any way you require," I said brightly, trying to subdue the glee of triumph rushing through me.

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