Valoria frowns as she answers Meredy. Apparently I’m not the only one who’s earned her anger for leaving. “Bryn is her own sort of mage. She doesn’t have a name for her magic—yet.” She strokes the cat’s speckled fur absently. “She came here to attend the new mage school, in the hope of meeting others like herself, or at least drawing them out of hiding.”
I arch a brow, and at my curious look, Valoria adds, “The cat she changes into is called a lynx. I’d never seen one before I met Bryn. Nobles in their home province of Oslea have hunted them almost to the point of extinction—something I intend to challenge them on, if they ever deign to meet with me in person.”
Meredy gives a nod of approval at that.
While she’s talking, Bryn turns back into a girl. Her bare shoulders have a multitude of freckles, too, I notice. I quickly raise my eyes to her face as she wraps herself back in her lavender robe without the slightest hint of shame.
“I’m Sarika, by the way,” the other girl at Valoria’s side adds without prompting. Her eyes are just as unusual as Bryn’s. They shift through hues of blue and gray, then brown and hazel, then green as she takes a step closer, her irises seeming unable to settle on just one of the five usual colors. She winks, and as she twists a heavy-looking silver locket on a chain around her neck, her wavy dark brown hair lengthens from her shoulders to her waist and turns as blue-green as the sea.
Valoria blinks a question at her, and she smiles sheepishly. “What? Bryn was showing off, so I thought I might as well, too.” The blue-haired girl beams at me as her hair darkens back to brown. I wonder if that’s its real color, though. “There’s no name for what I do, either, but I call myself a mimic. I can make myself look like anyone I’ve seen.” With a wink at Bryn, she adds, “Changing into a big cat would be way more interesting, but I can only impersonate other humans.”
“She’s an excellent spy for me,” Valoria says, frowning again. “Not that I ever wanted to have to resort to that. She’s even been brave enough to attend a meeting with some hostile southern nobles while impersonating me.”
She puts her arms around Bryn’s and Sarika’s shoulders. They seem to be more than just her ladies-in-waiting—they’re her replacement friends.
“Look, it’s great to meet you, Freckles.” I nod to Bryn, a sour taste in my mouth. “Sunshine.” I nod curtly to Sarika. “But we need to get back to that pesky little matter of Karthia’s safety, Valoria. I know the city is restless—more than—but won’t you at least consider raising an army? Talk it over with your council, just in case the Ezorans ever decide to look our way?” As she purses her lips, I add, “Please. I understand that you’re mad we left, but you know me. You know I wouldn’t lie.”
“All right. I’ll do it,” she says at last, holding my gaze, and my shoulders relax. It’s nice to know there’s still trust hidden beneath all her hurt and anger. “But my people’s needs still come first. It would be hard, if not impossible, to fight an outside enemy while we’re divided from within.”
“We should start right away, as Odessa suggested,” Danial says in his gentle manner, somehow managing not to sound like he’s questioning his queen’s choices. “This is a new Karthia, as you often say, and we need to protect ourselves like the rest of the world.”
Valoria grabs her cane and slowly descends the dais until she’s face-to-face with Danial and me. “Then how do you propose I inspire anyone to fight for me?”
“Everyoneshould want to learn how to fight, so they can protect their homes and their families. You’ll be doing them a favor by training them,” Meredy says firmly, moving to my other side andpropping a hand on her hip. She’s so cute when she’s trying to look stern.
“You’re assuming we can convince them of the need for an army in the first place,” Valoria counters, pushing up her glasses like she’s thinking hard about something. “Besides, they won’t fight well enough to win, if it ever comes to that. Not for a queen they don’t believe in.” The shadows on her face are deep and dark as bruises, especially around her eyes, as she seems to struggle to stay standing even with the help of her cane.
Bryn and Sarika rush to grab her elbows and support her, but she gently shakes them off and squares her shoulders. That’s the Valoria I know.
In a calm, clear voice, she says, “Still, we’ll try it.” She looks to the mimic. “Sarika, please head to the rookery and tell Scribe Oren to send ravens to every province, asking for volunteer soldiers.”
As Sarika slips away, Danial asks, “And who’s going to train these brave volunteers?”
Valoria actually grins. “You are, of course... General.”
Danial’s brows shoot up. “What did you—?”
“You heard me,” Valoria cuts in. “In light of the recent uprisings and what Odessa and Meredy have told us, you’re being promoted, General Swancott. The Karthian army”—she pauses, making a sour face—“pathetic as it will be, is yours to command.”
Bowing low, Danial murmurs, “I... well then. I won’t let you down, Majesty.”
Valoria squeezes his shoulder, encouraging him to rise. His eyes glisten slightly as they meet hers, and he stands taller than before—not weighed down by this new title, but rising to embrace it.
“Now that’s settled,” Valoria says briskly, looking from me to Nipper, “I want to hear everything about your new companion. Butfirst...” She reaches for my hand, then, after setting down her cane, takes Meredy’s with her other. Her touch is cold, as is usual for her. “I know I didn’t give you two the warmest welcome,” she says, “but I hope you still consider me a friend.”
“Always,” Meredy and I answer, almost in unison.
“Good.” Valoria smiles, and that simple gesture seems to take years off her face, turning her back into the enthusiastic inventor I know and love. “Odessa, when the first volunteers arrive, I want you to train them on how to wield a blade. Meredy, if you could teach them archery? I understand you’re a decent shot.”
That understatement earns a grin from Meredy.
“There’s one last thing,” Valoria says, her eyes narrowed in thought. “Odessa, I’d like you to meet me at the Temple of Change tomorrow after breakfast. That’s where the mage trainees have been living and studying for the past few weeks. There are a handful now. Maybe they can help us think of another way to defend Karthia from any future threats—wherever they might come from. Besides,” she adds with a wan smile, “I think some of them could learn a lot from you.”
We agree to meet there tomorrow, first thing. I know Azelie is more than ready to see the reason she came here.
“Just promise me you’ll get some rest tonight, Valoria,” I say in a stern voice, or as stern as I can manage when I don’t think I’m in a position to lecture anyone on their sleeping habits. “You’re as pale as something from the Deadlands.”
“Whether you like it or not—whetheranyonelikes it or not—weallneed you,” Meredy adds, letting the concern in her gaze shine through.
