“You don’t. It’ll have to be an act of faith on your end.” Vi shrugged. “But if I were you… if I were a man of your talents and intellect, I wouldn’t let an opportunity like this go. You don’t have much to lose. Either I speak true, and the Sword of Jadar along with all the power in the Crystal Caverns could beyours,” she whispered the words, letting them hang in the air. “Or I’m lying, and you can kill me for trespassing in the Tower of Sorcerers, or some other invented crime, whenever it suits you. I’m sure the Emperor will take your side over a random Westerner if it came to that.”
Egmun considered this for a long minute.
“I do think I have an opening here at the Tower, for someone of your talents.” Vi hummed as an invitation for him to keep talking. “Perhaps I could invite you to stay here as a personal assistant of mine? That way you’re not troubled with the day-to-day, and your mind can be free to work on other projects.”
“That would be wonderful.” Vi leaned away and slid off the edge of the desk.
“Excellent. Now, regarding the sword—” he said eagerly.
“I’ll show it to you when the time is right. Our deal is still fresh, minister, let it harden before we begin worrying about the next steps.” Vi smiled. She needed to buy herself some time in the palace to search for the crown. The longer she could delay bringing Aldrik and the sword to the Caverns, the better. “In the meantime, I would like to get settled into my new quarters.”
“Your… quarters?”
“Why, yes, I believe it’s common for teachers and students of the Tower of Sorcerers to be given their own rooms?” Vi arched her eyebrows. Egmun pursed his lips, but didn’t object. As long as she had the sword and knowledge to dangle before him, he would do her bidding.
“I fear the Tower is rather full at the moment.”
“What a shame,” Vi said, making it clear she really didn’t have time for excuses with her tone alone.
“Though, I do have a room I think I could make do, if you’re not too picky.” He rummaged through his desk, producing an iron key. “This way, if you please.”
The man led her out of his office and they wound even higher up the Tower.
“Beneath my office are the quarters I use,” Egmun said. They stopped before an unmarked door, which Egmun unlocked before passing Vi the key. “This is an unused storeroom, which I will gladly appoint for your use.”
Vi stepped into the chambers and waved her hand. Flames sparked to life in the braziers around the room. There wasn’t much in it. Mostly empty shelves and cabinets lined the back wall. A few crates were piled up about the room and a doorway led to an attached bathroom.
“I think it was originally intended to be the minister’s quarters. But I’ve never known a minister to use them since the lower chambers are much larger.” Egmun shrugged. “Will this do?”
“Nicely.”
“Excellent, I’ll have Tower members start setting it up for you immediately. While they do, perhaps we can discuss our business further?”
“There is nothing more to discuss until you show me you can provide the prince.”
“Tomorrow morning then,” he said definitively. “Meet me in my office just before dawn, and you will meet Prince Aldrik.”
“Most excellent.” Vi smiled, as though the statement didn’t curdle her stomach. She’d taken this young man’s mother. Now, she’d lead him down a path that would result in extreme hardship.
“See you bright and early, Miss Vivian.” Egmun spun on his heel and started down the Tower.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter Four
Deneya wastrue to her word. Vi found her in the second pub she checked with only the faintest flush to her cheeks. Her wits were still about her, and Vi filled her in on what had transpired with Egmun over a flagon of her own.
Night had fallen when she made her way back to the Tower. Vi strode with confidence up the main, spiraling walkway. The names engraved on silver nameplates and set on the doors to her left caught her eye.
She stopped, staring at one.
Friznangle Chareem.
Vi ran her fingers over the carefully engraved letters. Her other hand touched the watch around her neck lightly, remembering Fritz’s original gift ages ago. How old was he now? Ten? Twelve? Vi didn’t know. But this man was the one who had always given the watch to every new Vi. This was the current shade of the man who had given her Taavin a world ago.
She was still very much at the beginning of her journey. Yet Vi felt like she was catching a glimpse of the end.
Footsteps echoed up from below and Vi hastily stepped away from the door, starting up the tower once more. She kept her head down and her pace swift all the way back to her room, lighting the braziers once more on entry.
