Conrad searched through his papers for a bit before answering my question, “It says here wizard Reginald took it, for further examination.”

“What? Why?”

“Well, he was the one who examined it the first time and said it was safe, normally we’d have asked the current court wizard to look at it, but you were in the dungeon. The report says he wanted to look at it again...” Conrad trailed off, his face turning red with fury. “That traitorous bastard, he must be involved somehow! Let’s go arrest him right now and get it back!”

I grab Conrad’s shoulder before he could head out the door, “Hold on! I know it looks suspicious as all hell, but… it doesn’t make sense. Let’s take a second to think first.”

“How does it not make sense?” Conrad snarled, pacing back and forth in agitation, “He must have figured out what the amulet did, then decided to let the king wear it anyways! That treacherous swine!”

I frowned, thinking deeply, “He might have detected a hidden enchantment on it, but without a familiar, he’d have no way to know what that enchantment did. Why would he go out of his way to retrieve it after the fact if he doesn’t have the ability to detect souls?”

“Good question! Let’s go ask him, once I have him in an interrogation room! We have to go get him now, if you tipped him off that you know what’s wrong with the king, he might already have fled!”

I felt my stomach sink. Conrad was right, he’d been in the same room, so if he thought I knew the amulet was to blame, what would he do next? And, if he was involved, why did he seem to want the inquisitors to arrive sooner? “Is he trying to undermine me, solve the case, present his findings to an inquisitor, just to make me look bad?” I mused.

Conrad shook his head, “That makes no sense, if he wanted to simply undermine you, he’d have come here and heal the king. That would have earned him a great deal of credit, maybe even enough to let him take his old job back. Why would he simply hold on to the amulet and not do anything with it? Just the fact that he took it upon himself to interfere without informing me is already treason,” Conrad said with a snort, “I say, arrest him now, ask questions later.”

“I just feel like something about all this doesn't make sense. What if we're being manipulated? Made to chase after Reginald as a way to harm the princess?" I ask.

Conrad froze in the act of reaching for the doorknob, “An elaborate trap for the princess? To frame her for this? Why though?”

“I’m just speculating… but if the Mage Guild truly wants to prevent the oldest prince from being reinstated as crown prince, to prevent him from opening up a royal school for mages, wouldn’t arresting his strongest supporter make sure that never happens? What if they find some way to implicate the eldest prince too?”

Conrad frowned, “Wizard Jason, while all of that is a very interesting conjecture, I have to admit, I don’t care. All I want is to get that amulet back, heal my king, and then he can sort out this mess afterward. I don’t have time to sort through the political implications. If you’re concerned about the princess, you can speak up in her defense when the inevitable trial begins. Now, are you coming or not? I could really use your help arresting a wizard.”

“What about duke Alexander, though? He’s the one who gave the amulet to the king, aren’t we going to arrest him?” I asked.

“Fine, I’ll send a few men after him, bring him in for questioning. Most likely he’ll just claim he had no idea the amulet was cursed, so it’s a waste of time. Jason, we don’t have time to sit here debating “what if”. I just want that amulet; the king needs his soul back!”

Sensing this wasn’t the time to argue further, I nodded, and we headed out towards the princess’s suite, taking time to gather two full squads of men, including a few more mages.

Upon reaching the princess’ suite, we are met by Elizabeth herself, looking worried. Her sources of information must have been enough for her to find out that the captain of the royal guard and the court wizard were heading towards her area of the castle, and she choose to meet us first.

“What is this all about?” She asked, looking surprisingly regal for a sixteen-year-old girl, “What is the meaning of this?”

“Princess,” Conrad bowed slightly, “I’m here to arrest wizard Reginald.”

“I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding!” She said, “Reginald has been of great help to me! What could have he possibly done?” She turned to look at me, “Is this your doing? Wasn’t humiliating him in that duel enough? I didn’t take you for someone so petty, wizard Jason.”

I shook my head, and remember to also bow, I reply. “It doesn’t have anything to do with me, it has to do with a particular amulet that Reginald examined, and that he has in his possession.”

“An amulet?” The princess looked confused. “I don’t understand…”

I decided to take a risk, “Princess, we need that amulet back to heal your father. It’s a cursed artifact. Reginald took that amulet for “further examination”, and we need it back.”

“Oh. Well, of course, he’ll give it back, no need to arrest him!” The princess said with a relieved chuckle, “I’m so glad you’re making progress so quickly. I’ll just send for Reginald myself, and he’ll give that amulet to you. I’m glad we can clear all of this up so quickly.”

The princess opened the door behind her, and gestured to one of her nervous maids who’d been listening in from the other side of the door separating the princess’ suite from the rest of the castle. “Please fetch Reginald at once, and bid him bring that amulet these men are talking about.” She told them. The maids bowed and ran off at a run.

Conrad gave me an impatient look, clearly wishing I hadn’t shared more information with the princess, but I was still trying to find ways to de-escalate the situation. After all, there was a chance that Reginald was actually innocent, and had no idea the amulet was cursed.

All of us waited in the hallway, in tense silence. Conrad was not willing to force his way past the princess without giving her a chance to bring Reginald here, so we waited.

Eventually one of the maids returned, “Your highness, no one has seen Reginald since he was at your tea, he didn’t inform anyone where he was going either,” She said nervously.

The princess paled, then grew angry. “What! Why would he leave without saying anything to me?”

“A good question,” A new voice replied, “but one I can answer. The former court wizard came to me, accusing you and your oldest brother of being involved in your father’s condition. He claims to have overheard the two of you speaking on the matter, and my truth spell verified that he believes that statement to be true. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist.”

Surprised, we all turned to look. Standing behind us was a somber looking middle-aged man, wearing the distinctive red robes and badge of an inquisitor, and a raven sitting on his shoulder.