“Yes,” Zander narrows his eyes on his son, “LadyAlexis will be representing a separate interest of mine that he is aware of.”
The Master Informer nods quietly.
“You’ll need to leave first thing in the morning if you want to want to keep to that schedule…”
“I agree. I’ll make the preparations today and send word to Keane.”
“Thank you,” the King stands from his chair, prompting the two of us to our feet, “I wish you safe travels, son.”
Zander smiles and reaches out his arm, the two men clasping in farewell before Desmond turns in my direction.
“Meet at the stables tomorrow at dawn. Don’t be late.”
I give him my own nod and watch him walk out the door.
“Would you like something to drink, Alex?” Zander asks, heading towards the small fireplace in the room before he reaches for the mantel above it. The wooden shelf is filled with different colored decanters and cups.
“No, thank you.”
The King smiles and pours two whiskeys anyways, making his way back to his desk before he places a glass in front of me.
“Thank you,” I grin.
“You are very welcome,” he chuckles.
With both sit back down and bring our glasses together in small salute, neither of us caring that some would deem this drink too early in the morning to be proper.
“I know you just got home yesterday,” he sighs back into his chair, “but I’ve received word that the library at Red Falls may have what I need. As I told my son, Prince McQuoid and his wife are expecting your arrival in a fortnight, so I need to send you out on limited time.”
“It’s really not a problem,” I reply, “I enjoy the travels, Your Grace.”
And I truly do. While it may be a slight inconvenience to start packing after just unpacking, who am I to tell the King no? I travel whenever and wherever he needs me, no questions asked. It’s a job that I take graciously and one that I hope makes up for the generous lifestyle him and his wife have afforded me in Bardot for the last ten years.
“You know the words I need you to search for?” his blue eyes hold mine in question.
I nod easily. They’re the same words that have been engrained in my mind for the past two years now.
Old world, bird of ash, reborn,andAncients.
“Good,” he smiles.
“And I’ll know when I have the right book?” I ask as I always do at every meeting before he sends me off.
“You’ll know when you have the book,” he affirms. “You’ll also need a new coat, something long and warmer for the mountains of Pyre. And I suspect my eldest son will hold court for the days you are in Gaumond…”
He pauses and looks at me curiously.
“Would you do me a favor Alex? Would you represent us in Court of Knowledge colors if he does?”
I smile heartedly at my King and nod again. “Of course.”
He grins and takes another sip of whiskey. “Thank you. I’m also going to send Golem with you…”
My smile falters for just a moment as the sound of soft, padded footsteps make their way through the room. A robed figure moves smoothly from out of the shadows of the wall to my left, the creature walking quietly before he stops to stand behind the King.
Dear Ancients. Has Golem been in this room the whole time?
Golem’s brown eyes dart to mine as if he heard the question.
