Page 71 of Kingdom of Dance

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” the king said mildly, once he’d finished, “but in spite of my desire to find answers regarding Zinnia’s situation, I sincerely hope you’re utterly and completely wrong.”

Obsidian gave a brief smile. “So do I, Your Majesty. And I can’t see how I could be right, all things considered. It’s just…”

He paused, and King Basil gestured impatiently for him to continue.

“Well, if we didn’t know it was impossible, I’d think it was quite likely. Given how all the pieces come together.”

“Do they?” King Basil was unconvinced.

“I don’t know what else to make of the conversation she was listening in on last night,” Obsidian said. “The fugitive enchanter, Lorne, spoke as if it was an established fact among those present that there was some mysterious source of additional power available to enchanters who knew where to look.”

The king frowned, leaning forward and steepling his fingers on his desk. “Yes, I noted that in your account last night. It stayed with me because,” he glanced at the door, which was shut, “it tallies with a theory of my own.”

Obsidian raised a questioning eyebrow, and the king settled back into his chair.

“Just before my wedding, I convened a highly secret meeting which included royals from every kingdom of Solstice,” King Basil informed Obsidian. “The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of an organized conspiracy—most likely involving a group of rogue enchanters—aimed at super-powering enchantments that have the potential to damage the crowns of the various kingdoms. And by extension, to do the most damage in the kingdoms themselves. I’m sure you’ve heard of the curses in question—they’re all infamous. Even the prison break in Fernedell, thanks to which this Lorne is at large, was orchestrated from the outside, by an unknown but powerful party.”

He ran a hand through his hair, the effect increasing the impression that he hadn’t slept the night before.

“Some of the enchanters even spoke specifically of being given additional power for use in their curses, although none of them were able to name the source.”

“A silencing enchantment,” said Obsidian, and the king nodded.

“So we must assume. And a very powerful one at that. Although no one has yet found evidence that their own kingdom is harboring any such group of enchanters, I’ve continued to assume there must be a collective at work. The power we’re talking about is just too strong for any individual.”

“Any individual human,” Obsidian said quietly.

The king met his eyes. “As I said, Lieutenant, I’m willing to hear anything. But the idea of a dragon being behind it all is as bewildering as it is terrifying. We’ve been at peace with the dragons for as long as they’ve been here. Why would they turn on us now? And more compellingly, why would they act in secret? They’d have no need of the element of surprise. If they wanted to wipe us out, they could do so in a matter of days, and there would be absolutely nothing we could do to stop them.”

King Basil considered for a moment before adding, “Plus, I can’t see any way the dragons would benefit from the curses in question. They were all personal, with clear aims on the part of the enchanters involved. What do the dragons care if there’s personal suffering among the royal families of Solstice, or political strife in our kingdoms? They never involve themselves in such matters.”

Obsidian was silent. These were the questions that had spun thorough his own head the night before, and he had no answer for any of them.

“The princess spoke to me about dragons,” he said at last. “After she showed me the caverns, she mentioned that some of the younger princesses are studying dragon lore. Her manner was strange, and she told me something that she called a secret.”

The king sat up straighter. “What was it? Why didn’t you tell me before this?”

Obsidian fidgeted. “I didn’t think it was directly relevant. I thought…well, it will make more sense if I explain first. The secret was that her dragon friends have helped more than one royal with magical problems.”

King Basil’s mouth fell open, and Obsidian hurried on.

“She specifically said they hadn’t helped her, and I thought it was just a rumor, and that she was trying to prompt me to ask the dragons for help on her behalf. I didn’t mention it because I was sure you would be as unwilling to consider such a course as I was.”

“It’s not like Zinnia to be gullible with foolish gossip,” the king said thoughtfully. “Or to pass it on with such relish. Perhaps she was making it up, in an attempt to convey something else by implication.”

“She wasn’t making it up,” Obsidian said. “If it was untrue, she didn’t know it. She released no deception.”

The king looked troubled, clearly unsure what to make of it all. “If it was any other lead, I’d say it couldn’t hurt to at least follow it up. But when we’re dealing with dragons, well…any misstep could most definitely hurt. I’m friendly with Rekavidur and Dannsair, but I don’t claim the level of closeness Zinnia seems to share with them. Certainly not enough that I’m game to ask them to their faces whether they’ve breached the agreement and risked a short and decisive war between our kinds.”

“Do you have any idea who the royals might be, the ones who received the dragons’ help?”

King Basil frowned. “Zinnia said something about Queen Felicity of Albury inviting Rekavidur to the christening of her son a month or two ago. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but it occurs to me now to wonder how she would even know Reka.” He stared unseeingly at an inkwell in front of him. “And Amell’s letter telling me about his upcoming marriage made reference to having met my dragon friends. I thought it was bizarre, because he didn’t explain how or where that had happened.”

His gaze was apologetic as it rested on Obsidian’s face. “Would I ask too much if I sent you on a journey, Lieutenant?”

Chapter Seventeen

“Of course not, Your Majesty,” said Obsidian. “I’m ready to do whatever’s necessary.”

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