“Indeed, my men and I thought we had run them from Fillia. Apparently that was not so,” King Solon saidgrimly.
“Angel and I mean to stay in Fillia a couple of days to more thoroughly investigate the matter,” Evariste said. “In addition to your information, we’ll have to submit a report on the attack, now, aswell.”
“You won’t leave through a portal?” King Solonasked.
Evariste shook his head. “I use my magic sparingly when there are dark mages around—it’s too risky to actotherwise.”
“If you intend to stay, then please allow me to offer you housing,” King Solonsaid.
“That’s not necessary,” Evariste said. “I’d like to be closer to the city for the sake of our investigation. Though we appreciate theoffer.”
King Solon nodded. “Understandable. However, if you change your mind, do not hesitate to return. I will inform my servants and guards that you have an openinvitation.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Evaristesaid.
Angelique was a moment too slow in adding, “Yes, thank you, YourMajesty.”
A horse poked its head out of its stall and nuzzled King Solon as he studied Angelique. “Study well, Apprentice,” he said. “We may have need of your magic sooner than Ithought.”
A chill ran down Angelique’s spine, and she lowered her gaze to keep from snarling at theKing.
Evariste, however, smiled and patted Angelique on the back. “In this, I hope you are wrong, YourMajesty.”
“I hope so, as well,” King Solon grimlysaid.
Angelique curtsied when Evariste bowed his head, and she followed him so closely she almost stepped on his heels when they left the royalstables.
“Though it is rather early, we can retire to the inn for the day,” Evariste said as they marched through a sunny courtyard. “It’s been a trying day. The Sesame Seed Inn has public baths—separated by gender, of course—with baths the sizes of ponds. We canrest—”
“Excuse me, LordEnchanter?”
Angelique and Evariste swung around in tandem, blinking in surprise at the short woman who nervously addressedthem.
She wrung her hands and gulped under their gazes but continued bravely. “Might I ask for a bit of yourtime?”
* * *
“You’ve found a child with magic?”Evariste asked, his voice colored withsurprise.
The woodcarver—a giant hulk of a man—nodded. “A street urchin—he goes by the name ofPest.”
“A street urchin, he’s an orphan, then?” Angelique raised her hand to shield her eyes from the bright noon sun. They had relocated to the woodcarver’s shop, but they stood outside as most of the space was crowded with different kinds of woods and half-finishedprojects.
Master Dimi sighed. “His parents died several years ago. He’s managed to scratch out a living, but his magic is getting stronger. And I’ve heard reports…” He trailed off and sighed while his wife—the palace maid who had first stopped Evariste and Angelique—patted hisarm.
“If it becomes known he has magic, his life may be in danger. Street children are easy targets for practitioners of black magic,” Evaristesaid.
Angelique pressed her lipstogether.
When her magic had exploded from her during the goblin attack that had killed her parents, Angelique had been housed by her village until a fairy godmother had come for her. It was a scary time for her, having lost her parents and learning she had magic in the same day, but at least her parents’ friends had supported her, and her friends’ mothers had held her in warm embraces while shecried.
She couldn’t imagine having to deal with thatalone.
“He swipes things—small things,” Master Dimi explained. “Scraps of leather and wood, pieces of paper, things like that, then he makes them into simple little crafts that he sells, but they have charms inthem.”
“I bought a bow from him not a month ago,” Master Dimi’s wife explained. “He promised it would bring me compliments. I sewed it onto a bracelet, and darned if I don’t receive compliments whenever I wearit.”
Evariste glanced at Angelique. “What kind of magic would you say he has,Angel?”
