“Exactly. If anything, their king will be even more eager to form an alliance with you,” Layla said.
“So back to Riftflame,” I said. “Madrood will be back anytime, and I’ll have definitive news about dragons and eggs we can share with Riftflame.” Imagine if we attacked Ivenrail from the north and the south at the same time. We’d stand a good chance of eliminating the dreg threat, and then I could deal with the king. “If we can have confirmed eggs and dragons, would you be willing to return with a solid offer?”
“Of course,” Zayde said. “On our way back, we stopped at a friend’s manor in former Lydel territory. I took the liberty of sounding him out. If you’re interested, I’ll flit there and ask him to travel to Evergorne to ask for help. He’d make the perfect emissary.” He lowered his voice and peered around as if he was afraid someone might be listening, but the first thing I didwhen I returned was check our wards, and they remained solid. “He’s still loyal to Lydel.”
“Very good.” I nodded slowly. “I was going to suggest something like that.”
“We need every rider and every fighter we can find,” Zayde said. “If they send flights, it could make all the difference.”
“What do you know about the king of Evergorne?” I asked. Would he be open to an alliance with us in addition to Riftflame?
“He’s young.”
I frowned. “How young?”
“Nearly thirty. As a child, he was crowned king after his father died.”
“A child?”
“He was the only heir.”
“I assume he has advisors, then,” I said.
“I heard his mother plays some role in that, but there must be others.” He blinked slowly, thinking. “I’ll speak with my friend tonight. If I know him, he’ll leave immediately. We can’t wait.”
He was right. Each day could make all the difference.
“How are things coming along with your magic?” I asked Layla.
“Zayde is teaching me all sorts of things,” Layla gushed. “It’s coming easier than I’d hoped, but slower than I’d like. But I’ve perfected my best skill, a spell that allows me to overhear conversation within a certain distance.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “That’s how we found out about his deal with Evergorne.”
“A spell you’ll teach me as soon as I have time,” I said.
“I’ll be glad to,” she said.
“I want to learn that spell too.” Reyla stumbled into the parlor, her staggering pace suggesting she was still half-asleep. She slouched on the chair beside Zayde’s and rubbed her face.
“You look like you need more sleep, not a lesson in magic,” I said.
Her yawn stretched out. “I feel like I’ve slept forever, but I’m still worn out.”
Layla nodded. “I understand. We’ve been through a lot. I can’t wait to go to bed.” Her gaze sought Zayde.
Zayde frowned and got up, walking over to stoop down in front of Reyla, holding out his hands. “If I may?”
She looked at him in sleepy bewilderment but nodded.
He cupped her face gently and tilted it this way and that before leaning close and sniffing her. “Hmm.”
“What’s going on?” Layla asked. She unhooked her arm from my shoulders and leaned forward on the sofa.
“I’m not sure.” His frown remained directed at Reyla. “Did you wander into a patch of willwort?”
Reyla blinked up at him. “I don’t even know what that is.”
“I can’t believe anyone would plant it in the courtyard, but I’ll take a look tomorrow,” he said. “Stay inside until I make sure there’s nothing toxic in the area.”
“What’s willwort?” A thread of unease knotted inside me. I looked from him to my friend.
