In the end, I agree to allow James’ help, on the condition that I’m still in charge. Part of me just wanted to hand over the whole mess to him, but a nagging sense of responsibility makes me want to stay involved to make sure the kingdom’s interests are being respected. Also, despite James’ suave counter-arguments, I’m not 100% convinced the Mage Guild isn’t involved somehow. But, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

The princess I sent back to her room and told her to stay put. Lance instructs the royal guards who are stationed to the princess to not allow her to leave. They get grim looks on their faces upon receiving their new orders.

This process was made more difficult by the appearance of the queen, who was fuming, but James was able to calm her down with a mix of a few veiled threats and blatant flattery.

We found Conrad at the stables, preparing to go to the Mage Guild’s branch office. I filled him in on my agreement to allow James to help. Conrad simply nodded, not surprised. The three of us, and our familiars, boarded a carriage and rode down the hill.

“You handled the queen so easily. When I met her, she just kept threatening to execute me until I was so rattled I actually thought the princess was a cunning political operative,” I admit.

“It’s not that hard,” James snorts, “You just show them you’re not afraid of them. Nobles are like wolves, if they sense fear, they pounce, usually in packs. Honestly, for someone fresh out of the academy you’re doing fine. Just need more experience. Ever get bored of this, you could always become an inquisitor; our recruitment offer is still open. You’d still have to deal with nobles, but they’ll fear you instead.” James says with a laugh.

I wasn't sure I could ever intimidate nobles like that, even if I did become an inquisitor, I think to myself.

James notices my skeptical look, then offers more advice. “The trick to dealing with people like her majesty the queen is to remember that they’re just people. She has power, sure, but it ends at the border of this kingdom. If any of them threaten you again, laugh it off or leave. It’s not like they could stop you, you’re a wizard. Just try not to kill anyone on your way out the door.” James adds with a laugh.

I glance at Conrad, but he doesn’t seem to disagree. “Well, I wouldn’t try to get in your way,” he says with a shrug, “I don’t get paid enough for that. Besides, there’s laws, it’s not like she really could just have you executed for not doing your job fast enough to please her. And what do you care if you get fired? A wizard can basically print money wherever they go just by enchanting a few knick knacks; you don’t need this job.”

I nod thoughtfully.

“Also, the princess is very cunning, normally,” Conrad points out, “Problem is, if you get her mad, she becomes a spoiled brat. She’s only able to act like an adult while calm. Just about normal for most sixteen-year-old nobles, really. She'll get better when she's older.”

“Why do you think I told her what Reginald said?” James says with a smirk.

“About that,” I muse, “If Reginald implicated the princess in the king’s condition, why did you decide not to ask her any questions?” I’d been trying to protect the princess for the sake of the kingdom, worried about the fallout should she be sent to jail, but once she’d volunteered to be questioned there was nothing I could do. But, it seemed likely that either Reginald or the princess must have had their memories altered, or why would she be so willing to be interrogated? Surely James would have wanted to try to figure out which of them had the false memories?

“You haven’t figured it out?” James quirked an eyebrow. “Reginald just ratted out the princess’ misuse of persuasion magic and told me he overheard the princess and eldest prince talking about their father to spike my interest. But Reginald never claimed that he had heard either of them admit responsibility for the king’s condition. I may have stretched the truth a bit.”

“So you lied?” Conrad asked disapprovingly, “To tarnish her reputation just to infuriate her, that’s pretty low.”

James shrugged. “An inquisitor is only obligated to tell the truth while speaking at a trial. I’m only telling you this now because you’ll no doubt ask Reginald about what he heard, and figure out the truth on your own. Consider it valuable advice, trust no one. We’re working together towards a common goal, gentlemen, but I don’t know for sure either of you aren’t involved in this crime somehow. I remain skeptical of everyone at all times.”

I shake my head in disbelief, “And this is exactly why I’d never be a good inquisitor.”

“Hmm, you’re just young. Give it a few years for the blind faith in humanity to fade away and you’d do fine. Trust me, after a few cases to illuminate you on the depths of human depravity you’ll be a lot less trusting. My first case was a cult trying to summon a demon. The whole village was in on it, and I had almost bought their innocent routine right up until they all came after me with ritual knives and curse spells. Compared to that, nobles like her majesty aren't scary at all.”

“Nobles don’t scare me!” Sharpclaw boasts, “I made a noble cry once!”

Blackwing snorts, “So what? I made a demon cry once.”

I glance at Blackwing but she doesn’t look like she’s kidding.

“Say, that reminds me. Jason, do you know where familiars come from?” James asks.

“Aren’t they descended from demons?”

“Yes, but the details are interesting. A few thousand years ago a group of demons decided to flee hell due to some sort of internal dispute between demon lords. To stay permanently on our world, which normally is too mana-poor to sustain them, they fused their souls with animals. Mostly birds. The process left the animals physically unchanged, but far smarter and near immortal due to having a demon soul. Then they started breeding, usually with each other, but sometimes with normal birds.”

Blackwing huffs, “Stupid males, breed with anything.”

James continued his story, ignoring her interruption. “Over time each generation kept getting slightly closer to animals, dumber and shorter lived. But they retained their ability to see souls, even as their mastery of soul magic started to fade. Blackwing, and a few like her, decided that in order to stop this gradual decline back towards animals, they would form bonds with human mages, exchange their soul sight and knowledge of soul magic for mana. By supplementing their own tiny mana cores with human mana, they gain back some of their intellect and power. But despite the efforts of those brave pioneers, and our own best efforts, the entire species is in decline. They’re basically endangered.”

“Why are you telling me this rather disturbing story?” I ask.

“Blackwing is of a much older generation than other familiars. Not only does she know more about soul magic than anyone who isn’t a demon, her bloodline is purer. We’d like her to lay some more eggs. She could buy her species several centuries worth of time, if she cooperates.”

“Rude!” Blackwing caws, “Also, don’t want to.”

James nods towards Blackwing, “We’ve already asked her directly a few times, but she said no. I find it strange that the same Blackwing who was one of the first to bond with a human, would choose to turn her back on her species in their time of need. My own familiar is her youngest child, and he’s almost a hundred years old. Maybe you could talk her into it?”

“Why in the world would I want to do that?” I ask, “She’s my friend, and I owe her everything, she can do whatever she wants. It seems like she has her reasons.”

Blackwing nods in agreement.

“Well I’m not going to press the issue, as you say, she’s her own person. We’re not going to try to force her. I’m just curious, did you know that in order to become fertile, a female familiar must consume souls?” James turns to address Blackwing directly. “Is that why you’re not willing anymore, Blackwing?”

“So rude! Bad human! Mind your own business.” Blackwing tells him coldly.

The rest of the carriage ride passes in silence.