Deneya sighed and shrugged. “All right, follow me.”
Vi followed her up a side stair that wound inside the outer wall of the palace surrounding the stables. Inside the wall was a series of doors that led to rooms for each of the stable hands, fitted with a bed, table, dresser, and a single window that overlooked the horses beyond.
“Here.” Deneya lifted a short sword from behind her dresser, holding it out to Vi.
“It isn’t long enough.”
“He doesn’t know that.”
Vi pulled the sword from the scabbard. It was almost unnaturally light. The metal was nearly white from the alloys used.
“I was going to make a longer one. This was merely a first attempt. But it seems we ran out of time.”
“You’re right, he doesn’t know the difference.” Vi held out the sword before her, staring at the weapon intently. “Durroe watt ivin.” Yellow glyphs, tinted with white, surrounded the sword. They sank into the weapon and painted it with new colors. Bright splashes of blue swirled against deeper shades, nearly purple. Sparks of magic drifted off the weapon. Vi gave it a swing, watching the illusion cling to the blade.
“It’s more convincing than any other illusion I’ve seen here. I’m sure he’ll buy it.” Deneya laced her fingers and placed them behind her head. “But what’s the rush?”
“He’s suspicious of me.” Vi sheathed the sword. Even though it could no longer be seen, her magic fed the illusion. “I need to give him something.”
“Then I’ll pray to Yargen it works.”
Vi nodded. “Be ready to move, too. You might want to start gathering your things.”
“So early? I thought we needed to see them to the Crystal Caverns?”
“We’ll see. The crown isn’t here; I think it’s in Oparium.”
“Then you know where all the weapons are.”
“The crown’s location is still just a hunch.”
“And if your suspicion is right, you want to move to get the weapons all at once?” Vi nodded again. “I bet Taavin loves that.”
“Yes, well…” Vi looked at the sword, promptly ignoring the remark. “I should be getting back to Victor.”
Deneya stopped her from leaving by grabbing her wrist and locking eyes with Vi.
“Remember, Vi, he’s only seen how you fail. Never how you succeed. You’re the Champion, not him. You’re the one who’s going to show us all how this ends.” Deneya continued to hold her gaze. Vi opened her mouth, but couldn’t quite find words. So she shut it slowly, settling for a third dip of her chin. “I’m followingyouinto this future, not him.”
“Thank you.” That was all Vi could think to say. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it was everything she meant.
“You’re welcome.” Deneya released her and the woman’s lighthearted manner returned. “Now, off with you. Go quell the rage of a sorcerer who thinks he’s powerful.”
“With pleasure.”
Sword in hand, Vi made her way back through the palace to the Tower of Sorcerers. The good thing about having spent years studying the architecture and maps of the Imperial Palace meant that if she didn’t want to be seen, she didn’t have to be. There was always a passage, and a passage deeper still, winding within walls and behind doors to get someone from where they were to where they needed to go.
Muffled voices indicated Egmun wasn’t alone, but Vi knocked anyway. “Enter.” And, for the second time in one day, she did.
Egmun was seated behind his desk, Victor across from him. The young man gave her a satisfied smirk. Vi ignored him completely.
“I have what you requested.”
“Show me.” Egmun’s eyes never left the sword. But Vi’s darted to Victor. “He knows of the crystal weapons.”
“Very well.” In a sweeping motion, Vi unsheathed the sword. It was whisper silent; the steel hardly reverberated underneath the illusion that remained solidly in place.
“There it is,” Egmun breathed, drawn to his feet. “It’s really there.” He walked around his desk, as if he were approaching a sacred relic. Vi continued to hold out the sword as he approached, holding her breath, waiting. Egmun’s fingers trembled as he reached upward. They came in contact with the illusion. Vi’s magic held. “It doesn’t feel the same as the other crystals.”
