“It really happened,” said Alison. “Herot’s Hollow is a magical place.”
“Don’t let my father hear you say that,” Ceri warned. She leaned in closer. “But between us, I would like to meet him. The spriggan, I mean. He sounds fun.”
“Of course, your highness,” said Alison. She looked at Rinka. It seemed to be going well, at least.
“Why does it say ‘Preserve Herot’s Hollow’?” asked Ceri as she closed the pamphlet once more. “What’s going to happen to it?”
“Well, it was going to be flooded to make way for a dam,” said Gwenla. “And now there’s talk of leveling it to mine coal from our hills for a power plant to be built here in Fossholm.”
“And you are?” asked Ceri.
“Gwenla, your highness. I’m a friend of Ms. Lennox. We’re hoping that if enough people learn about how wonderful Herot’s Hollow is, the king might be convinced to preserve it.”
Ceri laughed. “That won’t convince my father at all,” she said. “But I know what might. Come with me.”
They followed the princess as she marched them to the royal tent where her father and Prince Idris were waiting, along with the rest of the royal family, for the first set of rowers to reach the finish line.
Alison, Rinka, and Gwenla looked at each other nervously. What could the princess possibly have in mind?
“Father, I’d like you to meet Gwenla. She’s a dwarven industrialist from here in Wilderise, and she has a plan to bring ‘lectrics here without ruining the beauty of the place.”
Gwenla’s grey eyes looked as though they might pop out of her face.
“Not this again,” said King Derkomai. “I’m trying to watch the race.”
“But Father,” said Ceri, her voice a bit whiny, “Gwenla’s idea is just marvelous. It’s something brand new, and it’s going to save so much coin. It barely needs any workers at all.”
“No workers, you say?” said the king. He was on his feet now, watching the first boat come down the final stretch. “Come on!” he yelled.
Idris moved around behind his father to join Rinka, mouthing to her:what’s going on?
“Very few,” said Ceri. “Would you let her demonstrate it? Before the end of the summer, of course. I know you want to see Wilderise modernized soon. It’s such a clever idea. It’s going to change the face of ‘lectrics hereandin Loegria. A new wave.”
“A new wave,” repeated the king absently. “Come on! Row! ROW!” he shouted at his boat, which had just lost the lead. “Row, dammit! Yes! That’s it!”
The king’s preferred boat fought back, coming up from behind and narrowly squeaking ahead of their competitor right at the finish.
“YES!” yelled the king, crumpling his programme in his hands and pumping his fist. He turned then to Ceri to clap her on the shoulder, elated. “And what is it, exactly, this new idea?”
Ceri looked at the group. Alison looked at Gwenla, who looked at Rinka, who looked at Idris.
It was Gwenla who dared to come forward. “Why, it’s the power of the sun, your majesty. The power of the sun, harnessed and yours to command.”
“Two weeks,” said the king. “You have two weeks before we’re heading back to the castle. Or I’m building the coal mine. Understood?”
“Yes, your majesty. I’ll prepare the demonstration at once,” said Gwenla, curtsying to him as they took their leave.
Alison looked at the others, flabbergasted and utterly helpless.
“Well,” said Ceri, following them from the tent. “Aren’t you glad I was here to help?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
THE THIRD QUESTION
Rinka
“Thank you, your highness,” said Rinka when no one else responded. “Your help was most…helpful.”
