“Your Majesty?”
“A cell, Torli. He can wait there until I'm ready to speak to him.” He pulled my list out of his pocket and handed it to Torli. “And here is the list of items needed for Master Sevarin's laboratory. See to the passage first, then Vanre, and then get the lab prepared.”
“Yes, Sire!” Torli hurried off.
The Dragon King stretched his neck as he watched the man leave. “Now, what, Master Alchemist?”
“Now, I need to analyze my samples. If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, of course.”
I hurried away, my satchel clutched close. I wasn't ready to analyze the samples. That was just a ruse to get away from the King. I wanted to see where the rot had hit the city, and with the way the Dragon King was behaving, I was betting he'd want to tag along. He would only hinder me, especially since his knights would have to accompany us. I didn't have time for such nonsense.
I turned a corner and headed for the main doors.
Chapter Seven
The city was worse off than the palace. After only an hour, I had seen a crumbling bridge, several closed shops covered in silver veins, and cracked building supports all over the city. I had taken samples where I could, and then stopped for lunch at a cafe. Sitting at a table near the window, I sipped a hot cider and jotted down notes as I waited for my meal.
Sure, it was only my second day and my first inspecting the city, but my lack of progress annoyed me. I still didn't know what the rot was, what had caused it, or how it spread. It seemed random, hitting magic with no discernible pattern to the objects or locations. I'd never come across anything like it. So, along with my annoyance came a hefty dose of excitement. It was a challenge, and I wasn't often presented with such.
A commotion caught my attention. I looked up from my notebook and out the window. With a strange tingling traveling down my chest, my jaw fell open. A carriage had stopped beside the cafe. A royal carriage. Pedestrians bowed to the King as he climbed out. He nodded and waved to his people as his knights closed in around him, forming an aisle to the cafe's door.
“My goodness, it's the King.” My server stood beside my table, my lunch in his hands, and stared at the King as he entered the cafe.
“Uh, if you please?” I motioned at the plate he held.
“Oh!” He set it on the table before me. “Here you are. Sorry, excuse me.” He hurried to greet the King.
I set my notebook aside and ate. Yes, I knew he was there for me. That he had suddenly decided to dine in the very cafe I had chosen for lunch was ridiculous. No, this wasn't a coincidence. Somehow, he had found me. It was exceedingly annoying. But I didn't know how he had done it, and that piqued my curiosity. So, instead of storming out, I ate my lunch and waited for him to join me.
The server's eyes went wide as he spoke to the King and glanced over at me. I ignored them. The food was good and deserved my attention—the King did not. He approached my table while his knights took positions both inside and outside the cafe. The other diners stood to bow to the King, and he waved them back into their seats.
“Sevarin.” King Falken sat down across from me at the little cafe table.
I looked up and set my fork down. “Please sit down, Your Majesty. You're not interrupting at all.”
He grimaced. “You told me you were analyzing samples.”
I looked pointedly at the server who stood beside our table, waiting for the King's order.
King Falken lifted his chin. “Whatever he's eating will be fine.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the server said. He was human and looked as if he were about to faint. “Uh, would you like a mug of hot cider as well?”
“Yes, the night is cool. A hot drink would be nice.”
“Of course, Your Majesty!” He hurried away.
“Cool,” I murmured.
I hadn't considered the weather. Sconheit was further north than Tabaa, and it was the end of summer. Getting cold. I had been enjoying the brisk air, but now I felt like a fool for not paying it further mind.
“Yes, autumn is coming. Don't change the subject.” The King leaned in. “You lied to me.”
“I knew you'd want to come along, and you would have gotten in the way.”
He gaped at me. “What did you just say?”
