“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man work so consistently for so long,” Brevairn said. “You have been reading letters and writing letters and taking notes for an hour and a half.”

Al didn’t look up. “And you’ve been watching me on and off for just as long.”

“Don’t you stop for, I don’t know, air? Food?”

Al glanced at the clock. “It’s ten-thirty. I ate breakfast, then started this. I’ll go until noon, then I’ll eat lunch. I’ll take meetings in the afternoon and make sure things are going well.”

“No woman? No hobbies? No sports?”

It was finally then that he put his pen in the ink bottle, poured the sand off the last letter, and looked at the Principal of Education. “Right, so what did you want that couldn’t wait an hour and a half?”

“Why are you assuming I want something?” he asked, lighting a pipe. “Maybe I find you interesting.”

“Because I would do the same thing to my mother when I was a child.”

“Is that a veiled insult?”

“We all interpret things differently.”

Breivarn laughed lightly at this. “I suppose. Maybe I just wanted to get to know my fellow short council members. You’re Br’vanese, correct? I brought you something.”

He handed Al a finely woven cloth of bright color, a hand wide and several feet long. On one end was a thin metal hoop that was open. “I have no idea what this is,” he said after his examination, “but thank you.”

“It’s a darimughi,” he said. “Your people clip them on to the ends of their spears as the men protect the women in their desert trades.”

“My grandparents were from Br’vani. I speak a little and sometimes keep to some traditions, but I’ve never carried a spear in my life. My ex-wife was Ghenian and we kept our marriage as she liked it, which meant open to sleeping with my best friend. I’m finding that keeping away from women and hobbies for the time being to be better for my constitution.”

“Oh,” Brevairn said, slumping into the armchair in the corner.

“I appreciate the thought, though.”

“How do you feel about your wizardry?”

“I’m fine with it. I haven’t had the need to practice it in months. Maybe I should open a clinic, when things die down.”

“Did you do well in school?”

“Top of my class. If you’d like to see my stole, I set several records.”

“Really?” Brevairn said, looking interested again. “So, you enjoyed Amandorlam?”

“I did. It was after I left there that my life melted slowly into misery until I met the King, the Queen, and the Ambassador.”

Brevairn leaned forward. “Ah, yes. I heard you traveled with them for some time. You must have used your wizardry quite a bit.”

“It helps that I’m a switcher. I healed when needed, then was able to use my magic to increase my speed or strength.”

“Yes, yes,” he said. “Did you ever teach anyone?”

Al frowned. “No. I was assigned to Whitney as a touch wizard. I didn’t have much of a chance to take a pupil, but Amandorlam prefers that students are taught magic in the school only.”

He puffed a few times on his pipe. “Do you think you would have preferred your life if you could have stayed in Amandorlam to teach?”

“Um, I think I would have made a terrible teacher. I’d have been too rigid in what I would have accepted. You have to understand that not everyone thinks the same as you, in a non-factual sense, and that their differences are fine, rewarding to the class, even. Maybe now I could do it, but…” He gave Brevairn a sharp look as he finally picked up on things. “…but I’m emrys to the King and unavailable.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Very busy. And your talents would be wasted in a professorship. Even as head of the school, you’d be more valued here then there.”

“What school?” he asked flatly.

“Well, we haven’t thought of a name yet, but don’t you think Arvonne deserves its own school of wizardry?”

“Ah,” Al said.

“Look, our king keeps speaking of investing in his people, yes?”

“True.”

“And right now, if any of the millions of people that live in Arvonne show promise as a wizard, they must leave the country and journey to Hiben, Sayen, or Kinto to learn, which basically means they must be rich in order to afford the travel, tuition, and expenses. Quite often they stay abroad. And, as such, we have no wizard laymen, no inspectors, haulers, touch wizards, and so on. Our country is lacking.”

“Valiant point. So, what would you like of me, if not to teach or head the school?”

“Input, mainly. We’ll pass the curriculum and details by you for inspection. Um, support.”

“’Support’?”

“Well, at some point it’s going to need to be approved by someone you happen to know well.”

“Ahh,” Al said. “You would like me to back the project and use my influence to persuade our king to approve it.”

“It seems like a wonderful thing for this country that is also something near and dear to your heart.”

“In times not so trying as these, I would-”

“See, that’s the biggest issue,” Brevairn said. “Everyone wants to wait until the time is right or there’s enough money or the right people come along. I can tell you that there is no right time. My family wanted me to wait to propose marriage to my wife until things started picking up in the olive industry. Do you know where the olive industry sits? Exactly where it was nine years ago when I married. You’ve seen Laradet and Miarala running around the palace. I wouldn’t have them because another principal was courting my wife. She almost said ‘yes’ to him, reluctantly, before I ignored my family and rode three weeks to meet her.”

Caudin had warned Al about Brevairn. “Do you have a proposal written out?” he asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“As a matter of fact I do.”

“Where were you thinking of locating this school?”

“There are a few places. The one that I feel best suits our needs is in Tapenstri. It’s an estate of one of the moguls who were helping fund Kalronism, so something that was confiscated by our dear king. We have this big, beautiful mansion, new mansion, sitting on these gorgeous lands with no use.”

“I’ll take a look at your notes if you leave them with me.”

“Great. Great, .rd, and we can talk about them tonight over dinner.” He stood and walked over to him.

“If I can get to…”

Brevairn placed a folder he’d brought on top of Al’s “to read” pile and shook his hand. “I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can improve things. Bring that sharp mind of yours tonight!”

Al swore under his breath once Brevairn had left, partly because the folder was so thick and partly because he’d hooked Al with the ship’s anchor. How often had he sat in classes yearning to trim the fat from the curriculum? How many times had he spoken to his colleagues about integrative classes with more hands-on work? He flipped the cover open and began rummaging through.

After several pages of notes, he looked up at the small clock on the table he’d converted into a desk. One-thirty. He sighed and berated himself, thankful that at least he hadn’t had a luncheon meeting scheduled.

He was on his way to the kitchens for whatever they had leftover when a page approached him. “Your Excellency, there is a woman here who is asking for you specifically.”

“Woman?” he asked, gesturing for the page to lead him.

“Yes, sir. She didn’t have a letter of presentation. She apologized for leaving earlier than you requested, saying you were going to send one to her.”

“Ah, this woman, she was young and had scars on her face?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then she’s been invited. Thank you.”

Alistad was seated in a large chair in what Caudin had said had always been called the Damask Room. On the floor next to her were two large baskets and a travel suitcase that seemed like it barely latched shut. She stood quickly once she saw him, then calmed. “I’m sorry, Al. I know you said to wait, but I needed to come.”

He moved in front of her and embraced her. “You don’t need to apologize. How was your trip? And how did you find me without the letter?”

“My trip was fine, thank you,” she said, smiling. “We hadn’t heard about the Restoration in Gheny when I left, but the sailors were talking about it on the ship. Since you mentioned Arvonne and something big happened, I figured you must be involved somehow. I began asking around for a dark-skinned wizard and a very tall grivven. It didn’t take much hunting to find out you were here; you’re rather famous.”

“I suppose that comes with the station,” he said. “I’m emrys to the King, his top advisor.”

“How did you get that position? Not that you don’t deserve it, and congratulations.”

“Thank you. This is going to be a long conversation. Actually, I think it would be best if some things were left unsaid until you meet the King and Queen. They’re away on a brief diplomatic mission and they’re expected home in a few days.

“Alistad,” he said, holding her gaze, “I invited you because you impressed me with your knowledge, piety, and most of all, your discretion. The King needs people he can trust. Can he trust you to hold his secrets, for his health and life?”

“Of course,” she said without hesitation. “We take those oaths when we become priestesses. I held to the troth earlier than that.” She cleared her throat and smirked. “Out of curiosity, how are Anladet and Raulin? Are they here?”

“Well, Anla is here, but it’s, well, complicated about…”

She laughed. “Al, I figured it out some time ago. Well, perhaps not specifics. Who could have guessed that? But, I understand why you asked for my discretion.”

“Ah, thank you,” he said, letting his breath out. “Are you hungry? I skipped lunch and was about to head to the kitchens for a sandwich or some cold meat.”

“I’m starving, actually. I’ve been waiting to speak with you since early this morning. The vetting process to enter Dilvestrar is extensive.”

“I’m sorry you had to wait, but we do have a lot of people wishing to meet with the King. Some just want to see the King and give blessings, some are ex-Kalronists who wish to kill him, the rest somewhere in between.”

“I understand, I do.”

Al rang for a page. “Go ask Revinpel if there would be a suitable place for a doctor to put her things. If so, have these moved there. If not, then find the next best place. Inform me of where they are. We’ll be in the kitchens, then my office. Thank you.”

The boy ran off. “Doctor,” Alistad said, laughing a little. “I’m hardly a doctor.”

“I had asked you here to be the monarchy’s doctor,” he said, leading them out of the Damask Room. “I know you don’t have the same training, but we could find some appropriate title for you. If you wanted the position, that is. I apologize for not asking.”

“Of course, Al. I traveled here because She told me I was needed. I don’t know what form that is precisely, but I would be honored to attend the court and heal.”

“Oh! Maybe you could help me with my…” Al trailed off in disappointment. “Well, I wanted to open a clinic, but I think there’s too many things going on for me to devote time.”

“Skipping meals isn’t healthy,” she said with a good-natured smile. “We learn early on that we must care for ourselves if we’re to care for others.”

“We learned that, too, and you chastised me before about it. I’m usually better. At least I’ve kept up with my ax training.”

“I remember you doing that in Hanala. Do you mind if I ask about it?”

“Ask about it?” He gave her a curious look. “Is it unusual?”

“For a man who can break bones with is bare hands, it might be.”

They sat at a butcher’s block in the kitchens and were served cold chicken, hunks of bread, and warmed soup for lunch. When the large room was mostly cleared of workers, he continued. “After my…crisis…I decided I needed to fill my moments with something in order to keep from being pulled back under. I asked Anla to tell me about her people. I asked Tel to teach me how to listen and engage better with others. And I asked Raulin to teach me how to fight.”

“And you’ve done that since then or did you stop once things became calmer for you?”

He smiled. “I’d argue that things haven’t been ‘calm’ since I left Whitney…wow, over two years ago. No, I haven’t stopped.”

“Why? I think exercise is wonderful for one’s disposition, but it’s something martial men do, not emryses.” She asked this with curiosity, not judgment.

“It may seem out of character for a wizard to practice a weapon, but it seems right to me. I’m going to keep doing it until it doesn’t.”

They sat and ate in contented silence for another ten minutes until a breathless page darted into the kitchens. He spotted Al and stood in front of him. “Did you find rooms for Alistad?” the wizard asked.

“Wha- yes, sir. She’s being put into one of the rooms above the King and Queen’s wing until the Autumn wing is cleared out. There is an apartment above that overlooks the Autumn Gardens that has an apothecary attached to rooms. The Master said she can move in when repairs and cleaning are complete.”

“Oh,” Alistad breathed, “that sounds heavenly. May I help with the cleaning and decorating? Could I move in early and begin?”

The page looked like she had sprouted fangs. “I don’t know, m’lady.”

She turned to Al. “I see no problem with that,” he said, “but we should check with Revinpel.”

“Sir!” the page said. “The King and Queen are returning today!”

“Really? They’re early.”

“There was an attempt on the King’s life!”

Both he and Alistad stood in alarm. “Is he all right?”

“I don’t know, sir. I was told to fetch you. They are due in a few hours time and the short council is meeting now in the Council Room.”

“Could you please escort Priestess Alistad to her quarters where her things are?” He turned and said, “Sorry to cut our lunch short, but at least I got some food in today.”

“Likewise,” she said. “Thank you, Al. I will see you soon.”

She was there next to him and Telbarisk when the carriages rolled in through the gates. Al began to weave his head back and forth to get a better view and let out a deep breath when the carriage stopped and Caudin stepped out. Anla took his hand and stepped outside, smiling and nodding her head to the servants.

“Oh, he’s quite handsome,” Alistad said out of the corner of her mouth.

“That’s not going to be an issue, is it?” he asked, smiling at her. “He’s very much taken.”

“I can see that. I’m quite pleased that they finally found each other. You do realize we have several classes on our relations with the monarchy and how it might affect our relationship with them. Had I known…”

“Had we all known…”

Caudin stepped forward with Anla on his arm. Al gently led Alistad by the arm towards him. “Your Radiance, Alistad arrived from Gheny today. She would like to be accepted at court as your physicker, if it pleases you.”

He gave Al a hard smile, then turned to Alistad. “So pleased to see you again, Alistad. We hope your trip was pleasant.”

She curtseyed low. “It was, Your Radiance. Thank you for accepting me at your court.”

“It is our pleasure.” He turned to Al and said, “Emrys, please attend to us in our chambers at once.”

It was a tone he hadn’t heard Caudin use before. His hackles raised a little, but he smiled and bowed. “Certainly, Your Radiance.”

He followed behind the retinue of servants, wondering what had happened. Had it been the trirecs? A Kalronist? The servants dispersed and he followed them into their apartments.

As soon as the doors to the hallway were closed, Caudin wheeled on Al. “Why the hell did you invite Alistad here?”

“I…I invited her because I trust her and I felt it would be wise to surround ourselves with good people.”

“Did you stop to think for a moment about what would happen if we kept inviting people from the past here? Hmm?” He tossed his bowler angrily onto a seat. “Yet another person we have to trust not to reveal who I was.”

“She’s trustworthy!” Al said. “She always has been. And I spoke with-”

“Do you realize what a thorn this is going to create? If I have a priestess of Zayine living in the palace, then I must have priests from the other eleven here or else I’m playing favorites.”

“Caudin…” Anla tried.

“You’re the King!” Al said. “You can make a special position for her. She can be your physicker, like I said, or…”

“And why didn’t you say something about this, hmm? You just sprung this on me and I had to figure out how to react, whether I knew her or not!”

“Caudin,” Anla tried again.

“I didn’t know if she was coming or not or when. I sent letters out-”

“Letters? Who else did you send letters out to?”

“The Duke of Sharka. I needed to settle things with him-”

Caudin cursed. “And what else are you doing behind my back? What other little surprises do you have in store for me?”

“Raulin!” Anla yelled and he turned to give her a sharp look. “Don’t give me that, you’re acting like you used to. The two of you are bickering like we’re in Calaba all over again, only this time Al is being the sensible one and you’re just malingering. You’ve been like this all during our return trip. You’re angry about something; don’t take it out on Al. What’s wrong?”

He flopped into a wing back chair, crossing his feet onto an ottoman. He knuckled his lips, staring off to the side. Minutes slipped by. Both Anla and Al took seats in other chairs, waiting for him to speak. Finally, he put his thumb and pointer finger up with a little space and said, “This close.”

“You were almost hit by a bolt. This is not new to you,” Anla said softly.

“No, you were almost hit by a bolt. I looked at where we were standing when we were getting our things ready. He was aiming for me, but when you’re a hundred feet away and you’re not an expert bowman and someone moves…That bolt would have gone right through your throat. You would have died in my arms and I would have let him get away, not knowing who had tried to kill me.”

“Your merit prevented that.”

“No, my merit took over because I happened to kiss you in that moment and stepped in front of you, where he had mistakenly aimed. You are alive by accident and they are coming for me and I don’t know how to handle the fear that they will get you next time. I want you to stay in the palace-”

“No,” she said firmly. “You will not lock me up to protect me. You will allow me to live my life.”

“I was saying that I want you to stay in the palace, but I can’t do that.”

“Thank you. And thank you, Al, for inviting someone we can trust who is knowledgeable about healing and medicine.”

“We have Al for that…”

“…and it is always nice to have more friends on our side for that reason. These are difficult, dangerous times. We knew going into this that there wasn’t going to be a reprieve from the ways things used to be. We all are prepared to give what we need to, at least I am.”

“It hasn’t changed for me, either,” Al said.

Anla moved and sat on the arm of Caudin’s chair. She knuckled his cheek lightly. He sighed then grabbed her hand, kissing it. “I don’t know what I would have done.”

“Made a lot of the aristocracy happy, eventually,” she said with a smirk. He didn’t share the joke.

“Who was it?” Al asked.

“Sayen,” Caudin replied.

“But, why?” he asked. “We haven’t made any moves against them.”

“My grandfather must know that eventually we will. He holds no treaty with us or power over us. It would be best to assassinate me before I have heirs that complicate matters.”

“Then we’ll need to increase security.”

“Wizard, we already have a high enough budget.” He stood, brushing the wrinkles out of his trousers. “What we need is a plan. I think that’s what we need to go discuss at our short council: when to take back the Mielsa.”