“Yes,” Angeliquesaid.
She paused, deliberating for a few moments.I intend to travel to Farset before Odette and Severin join me there, but if I leave now, I’ll be months early. Are there any other loose ends I could attend to in themeantime?
After a moment, a plan came to her. “I’m headed off to Farset,” she announced. “Riding Pegasus, I’ll get a fair distance in a fewhours.”
She relaxed a little, pleased with her decision. She would return to Tylis to ask the smuggling sisters Neely and Farraige if they had heard any news of the mage that had attacked her in Zancara. As an added bonus, given their occupation, she’d see if they knew anything of Foedus while she was at it.It doesn’t hurt that meeting with them will give me an excusenotto face King Giuseppeagain.
“I cannot thank you enough for all you have done—both for my country and for me,” Rosalindasaid.
Angelique smiled. “It was my honor—I am glad to know that the boon I gave you when you were a babe in a cradle has helped you. Though I am sorry this all turned into such amess.”
Rosalinda shrugged in a very un-princess-like manner. “I don’t know that it could have been any different—though I do wish I could figure outwhathas happened to my grandfather. When I lived as a peasant, he was a very good king. Andnow…”
“He has always been very concerned for you, Princess Rosalinda,” Angelique gently said. “And fear causes people to make impulsive and often unwisedecisions.”
Rosalinda slightly pursed her lips. “I suppose,” she said. “Regardless, we owe you a great debt of gratitude. Thank you—and please, I must insist that you call me Briar Rose—or justBriar.”
“Very well, Briar. I wish you luck with yourreturn.”
“Thank you,” Rosalinda said glumly. “I rather think I will needit.”
“Everything will be fine, Your Highness,” the Legendary Knight of the Lancesaid.
“It will be,” Rosalinda agreed. Though she smiled, there was steely determination in hereyes.
King Giuseppe doesn’t know what he’s getting into,Angelique thought.Serves him right. Can’t say I’m at all sorry that Rosalinda—that is, Briar—doesn’t toe the line with him. I don’t really enjoy gettingshoutedat whenever I come tohelp.
“Take care, Angelique, and safe travels,” Rosalindasaid.
“You as well, Briar.” Angelique started to curtsey but was surprised when Rosalinda instead threw her arms around her in a quickembrace.
They parted with smiles, and Angelique headed to the inn one last time—intending to inform the other mages of herdeparture.
Things will change,she dared to hope.Catching Carabosso is the exact sort of leverage we need. Now we’ll finally have an edge—even if we have a lot of clean up todo.
Chapter 30
“So you haven’t heardof it at all?” Angeliqueasked.
“I’m ‘fraid to say it, but nope.” Neely shook her head as she walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Angelique through the city of Tylis. “Of course, I haven’t come across many artifacts in my business. But I do know a few smugglers who specialize in ‘em. Have you heard of the Black SwanSmugglers?”
“Yes, actually,” Angelique said. “I’ve interacted with them quite abit.”
“Odette’s crew are the most famous for sticking their thumb in the magic pie,” Neely said. “They’ve got all sorts of unusual customers—rumor has it they’ve even done a few jobs for the Verglas Assassins’ Guild.” Neely shudderedopenly.
So the Black Swan Smugglers have served elvesandassassins. That is quite the clientele.“I have talked to them about Foedus, but they didn’t know anything about it, either.” Angelique ducked under a low branch of a tree that had claimed a spot for itself in the middle of the street—though traffic parted effortlessly aroundit.
“Given its ancient history, finding it is going to be difficult,” Angelique continued. “There’s a good chance it’s been lost inhistory.”
“Farraige and I will keep our ears open,” Neely said. “If we hear anything, we’ll sendword.”
“Thank you.” Angelique hesitated to ask her next question as they turned a corner and wove through a residential street, forcing them to dodge clothes lines, laughing children, and a fox that followed traffic patterns as it trotted down the street. “Have you heard anything more of the mage that followed me intoZancara?”
Neely scowled. “He must have magicked himself in somehow—everyone swears they’ve never taken a living soul to Zancara. Farraige and I are the only two with thatdistinction.”
Angelique sighed. “Thank you forasking.”
“Of course.” Neely stopped when they reached an intersection and nodded to the city gates—which crouched at the end of the perpendicular street. “You’releaving?”
