“I didn’t get that good a look,” Ralph admitted. “All I could see was the purple scarf over his face. And he was cradling something in his arms. Couldn’t tell what, but it must’ve been valuable, because he didn’t drop it when he was running.”
Theo looked from Ralph to the duke, to see a small frown creasing the older man’s forehead. He seemed to be deep in thought over Ralph’s tale. It certainly gave them something to look into.
They were subjected to accounts from many more people, some of whom hadn’t even been present, but were still eager to share their speculations. Nothing more of interest was added. They were well and truly ready to leave by the time the guild member completed his inspection of the site. The whole process had taken longer than hoped, and they were unlikely now to make it back to the capital in time for the dinner hour.
Thanking the village head for his hospitality, they rode out of the clearing, eager to be on the road.
“What’s your conclusion?” the duke asked the guild member as they passed beneath the trees once again.
“I examined the source of the landslide. While it’s possible it was caused by magic, there’s no great evidence of that,” the guild member said, frowning. “But the magic in the area feels strange, even now.”
“Strange how?”
“Well, I used Dust generated by the movement of the trees to fuel some simple enchantments. And while it worked as normal, the Dust didn’t settle like I expected once my enchantments were complete. The branches were still moving, but the magic issuing from them was unsettled and uneasy, as if my minimal access had exhausted it.”
Theo frowned, shooting a look at Paulson, who happened to be riding very close by. The guard looked somber, his expression when he met Theo’s eye seeming to give confirmation of the guild member’s words.
The duke relapsed into thoughtful silence when the report was finished, and Theo didn’t try to press him for his conclusions. He fell back, riding alongside Paulson for a while, although they shared no words, only a troubled silence. After a time, the road through the trees widened enough to allow several people to ride side by side. Paulson moved to join the guards’ new formation, and Theo found himself alongside Elowen, Lady Sophia on the princess’s other side. He’d heard nothing of their conversation, so was caught by surprise at Lady Sophia’s words to the princess.
“Simeon told me once that there are sometimes carbuncles in the cliffs on the other side of this forest.”
Theo stiffened, engulfed by the same rush of emotions—none of them pleasant—that he always felt when carbuncles were mentioned.
“It’s such a shame it’s not the solstice,” Elowen said brightly. “Or we could have gone hunting.” She looked over at Theo, those piercing blue eyes too perceptive for his current state. “What do you think, Theo?”
“I have no interest in the creatures,” he said curtly.
One of Elowen’s perfectly sloping eyebrows rose, but it was Lady Sophia who responded, surprising them both by speaking up.
“I do. I would give a great deal for a carbuncle favor.”
Theo eyed the noblewoman’s wistful expression.
“You would be likely to regret it if you found one,” he told her. “Whatever you hope it would magically give you, you’d be better off working to achieve it by honest, non-magical means.”
“No doubt you’re right,” Lady Sophia said, her polite tone forced and unhappy.
“Wise words,” Elowen said, although her tone contradicted the compliment. She was nettled by his chastisement of her friend, apparently. “But some of us try the best we know how and still fail to achieve our desires through non-magical means, don’t we?”
Theo said nothing, his thoughts circling uncomfortably around his various recent failures.
“There really isn’t anything you want favor for?” Elowen was needling him now. “Maybe a carbuncle favor would let you magically set the wedding date you’re so determined to lock down.”
Theo felt his jaw set. “If I can’t get what I need without magical favor, perhaps I don’t deserve it.”
“Perhaps.” Elowen sounded miffed, but he also thought he detected a flush on her cheeks. Did she regret her blunt words? Or just his cold answer?
Theo pulled his horse away, keeping his distance for the rest of the ride.
As expected, dinner was over by the time they reached Toledda. Tired and saddle-sore, the three younger members of the group ate a late dinner together in a small dining parlor in the castle, the duke having gone on to his city manor. The spread was still excellent, and they mostly ate in appreciative silence.
Theo therefore had plenty of time to regret his part in the uncomfortable moment on the road, and he decided to stay with Elowen until she’d said goodbye to her friend, in hopes of a private moment to apologize.
He should have known better. The three of them had just finished eating and were emerging back into the castle’s large entranceway when an unwelcome addition strolled up to the group.
“My dear, foolish Princess!” Lord Bertrand’s eyes were over-bright as they rested on Elowen’s face. “What did I hear about you riding all over the country without me to keep you out of mischief?” He didn’t give her time to respond before directing his attention at Theo, his expression indulgent. “Of course, you had your dashing prince at hand, so no doubt all was well.”
Elowen, not looking pleased, seemed on the point of responding, but Lord Bertrand wasn’t finished. His gaze was cool as it rested finally on his sister.
