Luccan carried the last two glasses back, handed one to Thantrel and took the final for himself, settling into a seat next to Arie.
“What happened, Father?” Arie asked.
“The Courting Festival should be long over. King Magnus has dragged it out,” Lord Riis said and paused to sip his drink. “There’s a reason for that. One Vale told me before he left.”
He explained to his sons that King Magnus was searching for a lost Hallow—the Ice Scepter. The king believed a noble house possessed it, and had thought that house would bring it to Avaldenn, if only so the Crown Drassil growing in the heart of the castle could bless the Hallow. That had not happened. It seemed that no one was in possession of the Hallow, a fact that, Lord Riis was sure, was infuriating the king.
“He thoughtwehad it?” Arie asked in the middle of the story.
“He did,” their father replied. “Vale, who was aware of the plan all along, did not. Hence, he told me. Smart lad, as only those with Winter’s blood can wield it.”
Their house, so newly raised in society, had not a drop of Winter’s blood. On the back of that revelationcame another. The idea of finding the Ice Scepter had to be part of the reason Vale had acted so oddly of late.
“I believe the king was setting the poor matches partly to punish those he did not agree with,” Leyv Riis continued, “and partly to force the holder of the Ice Scepter’s hand. After all, with Winter’s magic in upheaval, he was not wrong to believe that the holder would bring the Scepter to court and ask for a blessing before the Crown Drassil.”
“Wouldn’t that establish them as royal?” Luccan asked, trying his best to assimilate the information his father had known for weeks.
“It is one sign of legitimacy.” Lord Riis gave a nod. “However, now that Neve’s truth is out, whoever holds the Ice Scepter will have another person to contend with.”
“Youallknew about her?” Duran’s voice was small as he stared at the group. “She’s really a Falk?”
“Are you surprised?” Thantrel asked, olive eyes shrewd. “You made the Liar’s Salvation for her. Didn’t you ask what it was for?”
“I tried, but they wouldn’t tell me. Vale asked for a favor, and I granted it. He’s a friend.”
And that was that. Dwarves were loyal down to their bones.
“She is a Falk. Born Isolde Falk, as the king said.” Lord Riis drank the last of his Dragon Fire and set the glass down. “Now that the king knows who she is, though, he will hunt her. Vale and Neve cannot return to Avaldenn, and I wish for you, my sons, to leave as well.”
Luccan gaped, and his brothers mirrored his expression.
“Father, the king will be furious if we leave. And we cannot leave you here too,” Arie countered.
“I will take care of myself,” Lord Riis replied. “Besides, you will not be the only ones leaving.”
“Of course we’re taking Duran,” Luccan said.
“Him yes.” The Lord of Tongues cleared his throat. “But my spiders tell me that other houses are leaving Avaldenn as we speak. The Virtoris family sailed home after the scene in the throne room. I have heard whispers that the Armenils and Baliks plan to move tonight. The Courting Festival has gone on too long, and it has not gone their way. Many great houses are angry with the king, and more pressing, they do not wish for their families to be kept here if Neve claims the throne and Magnus declares war. That, more than anything, tells me of their loyalties, which is something we can use.”
“You didn’t mention their leaving to the king?” Thantrel asked.
“Not until you all are gone and safe.” The spymaster arched an eyebrow. He knew full well that when they left, they’d not be using the city gates, but the king did not and the spymaster wanted his sons far from harm’s way as quickly as possible. With the potential for war upon them, keeping Luccan’s gateways a secret had become more important than ever. “And then there is the matter that if Neve is to claim her title, she will need allies. Some of those houses might be sympathetic to her. Specifically, the Great House of the North. Queen Revna’s mother was an Armenil.”
“The pack endures,” Luccan spoke the house words of the farnorth, a way of saying that if the Armenils stuck together, they’d prevail. In the long history of the great house, those words had always been true.
“And where the Armenils ally, the Baliks are likely to follow,” Arie whispered. “They’re so connected.”
“Yes,” Lord Riis agreed. “As for House Virtoris, I believe that Lady Fayeth would not take much convincing to side with Princess Neve. Not after the disrespect that King Magnus has shown her children. They are likely the safest from war as well—with their impressive armada to protect their island, no one will attempt to sail their way.”
“A war of houses is on the horizon then,” Thantrel said, his tone hollow.
“I fear so, and we have already claimed our side.” Lord Riis leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “We are all in agreement there, my sons?”
No one spoke, and though he believed in what his father said, Luccan’s heart pounded in his chest.War.They’d all been too young—or in the case of Thantrel, not even born—during the White Bear’s Rebellion.
And yet, there was no way Luccan would side with King Magnus over Vale.
“For Vale and Neve,” he said, and his brothers echoed him, Duran’s voice joining in with devotion.
