“And all unsuccessful,” the king pointed out.
“Yes.” Theo paused. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s impossible. It may simply mean that the key to succeeding hadn’t yet been found.”
“And you think someone has found it?”
Theo shrugged. “I don’t know that, Your Majesty. But I think someone is trying, at the very least. And the fact that enough magic appears to be missing from the environment after these experiments, with the impact of that sudden disappearance of magic potentially spreading far afield from the site of the incident…well, it does make me wonder if someone is succeeding in capturing released Dust.”
“That would be alarming if true,” the king said. He thought for a moment. “It’s an interesting train of thought, but I don’t think there’s much reason to explore it. The investigation suggests that the incidents are not connected by one player.”
“With respect, Your Majesty, I don’t think that’s true,” Theo said. “I apologize if I overstepped, but I asked Paulson to make his own inquiries at the site of each incident. His own assessment of each area, and the accounts he received from witnesses who were very willing to speak with him, support the idea that magic disappeared on release at the time of each disaster. And that a young man with his features covered was seen at more than one location, usually holding a strange object of some kind.”
The king frowned, his eyes flicking to Paulson then back to Theo. “That’s not what has been reported to me.”
Theo let out a long breath. “I mentioned the scarf earlier, Your Majesty, because I disagree with the duke. I considered the witness at the landslide to be clear and convincing. And he specifically described the young man he saw running from the landslide as having his face concealed by a purple scarf. Shortly after our return to the capital, I observed a servant of the duke’s with just such a scarf. I understand that it’s not conclusive, but there were other interactions I’d observed with regards to this servant that didn’t seem right to me. I became concerned that if the evidence implicated a servant in the duke’s own household, he may be placed in a difficult position as regards giving you a full report on the information gathered.”
“Delicately put,” the king said grimly. “I trust the duke’s loyalty and honesty, Your Highness.”
“Forgive me if I offend, Your Majesty,” Theo said. “I have no reason to think poorly of His Grace. But given the possibility that he may be in a compromising position, I wished for a different source of information, to compare what the duke was reporting. That’s why I asked Paulson to make inquiries on my behalf.”
And what he found contradicts what your duke reported to you.
Theo didn’t say the words, but they still hung silently in the air between the two royals.
“It may be that the matter has been investigated, and my doubts are unfounded,” Theo went on. “But it should be noted that the young man in question has skill with magic, and on each occasion, he was either present at the disaster, or missing from his duties.”
“I see.” It was hard to read King Ronan’s true thoughts, but at least he wasn’t angry with Theo for making his own quiet inquiries, as he easily could have been. “Thank you for sharing your reflections with me, Your Highness.” He stood, and Theo mirrored him. “I will think on the matter. And I look forward to celebrating the tournament’s completion at tonight’s celebration.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Theo said, inclining his head.
“You fought well this morning,” the king added, his manner becoming less formal. “It was a clean victory.” His smile turned rueful. “Not a good day for the household of the Duke of Nirocha, it seems. Not that I mean any criticism. You bested your opponent in all honor.”
Theo hesitated, wondering if the king had been perceptive enough to observe that the fight had become personal. Perhaps it would be better if he did know, at least to some extent. But after a moment’s consideration, Theo banished the idea of telling the king what had happened between Bertrand and Elowen the night before. He didn’t feel right to do it without first speaking to Elowen about it.
The castle was quiet throughout the afternoon, many people attending the commoner’s events going on at the tournament field. Theo had no doubt the kitchen was bustling in preparation for the second celebration feast in as many days, but that activity was out of sight. He walked the corridors thoughtfully for a while before retreating to his rooms. He’d expected to feel a sense ofrelease in sharing his suspicions with the king, but instead a vague unease hovered over him. Part of it was the fear that if the servant Elowen had a friendship with was exposed as a traitor, Elowen’s inevitable distress and sense of betrayal would attach to Theo, as the bearer of that unwelcome news.
But the information that the investigation had brought to light had to be reported to the king. And if the duke wasn’t going to fulfill that duty, what course could Theo take but to step in and do so himself?
The whole matter dimmed the satisfaction of having won the event against Bertrand, and the hours until the feast passed restlessly for Theo. He was in no humor to join any of the informal celebrations he could hear from his rooms. All he wanted was an answer about the investigation, and a chance to speak with Elowen.
Dinner, at which he would certainly be seated by the princess, promised the second one of these desires. But Theo’s expectations were exceeded when his first wish was granted as he approached the dining hall.
“Prince Theodore.” King Ronan hailed him, and Theo moved to his side, surprised when the king invited him to step into an antechamber across from the dining hall.
“A quick word before the feast begins,” the king said. “I pursued the matter you raised with me, and I must thank you for your perceptiveness. When another investigator made inquiries, the situation unraveled quickly. The servant in question, a young man named Simeon, confessed to involvement in the incidents.”
“He confessed?” Theo repeated, startled.
The king nodded. “He’s being held securely, and will be further questioned by more independent investigators.” The king’s voice was grim, and discomfort flitted across his face. “The incompetence you were so quick to see doesn’t reflectwell on my governance, but I thank you for pointing it out nonetheless.”
“You are not at fault, Your Majesty,” Theo said quickly.
“You’re gracious to say so.” King Ronan was being restrained, but it was clear he wasn’t happy. “The duke has recused himself from the evening’s celebration. He is…embarrassed that he failed to see the truth in his own household.”
Theo dipped his head in acknowledgment, politely pretending to believe the lie. The duke’s embarrassment was presumably true enough. But Theo had no doubt that in reality, the duke was absent because he was being investigated under suspicion of having hidden evidence from his king as a result of that embarrassment.
“I wish I understood why the servant did it,” the king said, probably deeming the topic safer. “He’s been with the family for a long time, and from all I hear was highly trusted.”
“Did he give no reason?” Theo asked carefully.
