The second man gave a low whistle. “The guild won’t be happy about yet another incident. That’s five this week in the capital alone, and word is it’s even worse in some parts of the country.”
Theo frowned thoughtfully. Five incidents that week? Clearly he wasn’t being kept in the loop, a fact that didn’t really surprise him. Begrudgingly, he felt some sympathy for Prince Patrick’s stiffness earlier in response to Elowen’s teasing. Theo also wished he wasn’t stuck taking part in a meaningless competitionrather than assisting with the investigation into the strange movement of the magic in Torrens.
As he watched, a third man approached the pair.
“Simeon!” one of them greeted the newcomer. “Where have you been all day, lad? I haven’t seen you around the tournament fields.”
“No, I missed today’s events, unfortunately,” the servant said lightly. “I had other duties. But I wanted to sign up before they closed the lists for the day.”
“You’ve decided to compete?” The man in the guild uniform looked pleased. “I’m glad of it. What’s changed your mind?”
Simeon’s smile was disarming. “Your persuasions, of course.”
The man chuckled as he added Simeon’s name to the list already pinned to the wall. “I doubt it, somehow.”
Simeon looked on the point of leaving, and Theo realized it was the best chance he’d likely get to ask the servant about the dam burst. He moved forward, causing all three men to fall silent and bow respectfully.
“Simeon, isn’t it?” Theo greeted the younger man.
Simeon acknowledged it with another bow as his companions packed up their papers and melted away, not eager to be caught in conversation with the foreign prince.
“I’ve been hoping to speak with you,” Theo said. “I understand you’re a skilled craftsman, is that right?”
“I’m flattered by the description, Your Highness,” Simeon said. “I have some training in the craft, yes.”
“And you were present when the dam burst on the Duke of Sirocha’s holdings?” Theo pressed.
This time Simeon hesitated, a wary look coming over his face.
“I was there, and I’m sure I saw you,” Theo said mildly.
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Simeon, his eyes respectfully averted. “I was nearby, although I didn’t personally see the dam burst.”
“Did you feel anything strange about the Dust released by the water’s movement when the dam failed?”
Again Simeon took a moment to answer. “Strange, Your Highness?”
Theo curbed his impatience, knowing that severity wouldn’t make the servant more inclined to speak freely.
“Did you feel the Dust released by the dam?”
“I did, Your Highness.”
Theo searched his face. “And did it feel normal to you?”
The servant cleared his throat. “I’m not qualified to speak as to what’s considered normal, especially at such an unusual event. It’s the only dam failure I’ve ever been present for, so I have no basis for comparison.”
Theo tried a different approach. “You seem uncomfortable, Simeon. Perhaps you’ve already been asked to report on the matter by His Majesty or His Grace, and are reluctant to betray whatever trust they have in you. Commendable, if so.”
“No, Your Highness, no one has asked me not to speak about it,” Simeon said quickly. “That is, I simply have nothing of value to tell.”
“I see.” Theo was less convinced of that than ever, Simeon’s manner and tone putting all his senses on alert.
But there seemed little point in pressing further. With a word of parting, he moved away, rounding the curved edge of a nearby tent before it occurred to him to ask about whether Simeon had felt the disturbance during his maze run. Perhaps the other man would find it harder to be guarded when he’d had much less time to decide on his story.
Theo had made it halfway back around the tent when a new voice brought him to a stop, still out of sight of the servant.
“Simeon.” Apparently Elowen hadn’t returned to the castle yet after all. “You’ve signed up for the craftsmen’s competition.” Judging by her tone, the information had come as a great surprise to the princess.
