I stopped and turned to look at him. “About what?”
“The dead. You seem too reasonable to worry about spirits and such.”
“Reason doesn't negate respect. A life ended. I didn't know the man, but he served his king and died in that service. That deserves respect.” I turned and headed for the palace. “It was nothing. Just a charm and a prayer to honor the dead.”
King Falken caught up to me. “I will provide for his family.”
“That is none of my concern.”
He snorted. “No, of course not.”
I ignored the King as I came abreast of Orro. “Thank you for your help today, Lord Orro.” I stroked Leera's head. “And you too, Leera.” I held out my arms. “I'll take that.”
Before Orro could hand me the steel box, the Dragon King took it.
“I'lltake that,” the King said. “Thank you for looking after Master Sevarin.”
Orro looked from me to the King and then to Leera. They seemed to shrug at each other. “Sure. Let me know if you need my help again, Master Sevarin.”
“Thank you. I will.” I watched the Ricarri man and his dog enter the palace and then looked at the King. “Don't you have to handle those thieves and speak to the captain?”
“The captain won't be here for a while. In the meantime, my knights will interrogate them. ” He went up the stairs. “I just want to know if they had anything to do with the gate falling.”
I hurried up the stairs. “You think they were the same team that destroyed the gate?”
“Honestly, it would be surprising if they were. But I have to be certain before I hand them over to the Talons and then the Courts of Teeth.”
“Don't you want to interrogate them yourself?” We entered the palace and headed for the central stairs.
“No, my knights will take care of it. I want to speak with you, and then I'll leave you to your work.” He looked over at me. “I assume we're going to your lab?”
“Yes. I need to look over my notes and conduct an experiment to prove my theory.” I frowned as I realized I didn't have what I needed. “Do you know what a resonant enchantment loop is?”
“You mean one of our kingdom's greatest inventions? Yes, I know what it is.”
“Good. I need an item with a resonant enchantment loop. And I also need an item enchanted with a normal spell. Several of each, if possible. As small as possible. Can you find those for me?”
“No.”
I scowled at him.
“I'm the King. I'm not going scurrying about the palace looking for enchanted items.”
I rolled my eyes.
“But I'll have someone else do it.” He paused at the bottom of the central staircase. “Torli!”
“Seriously?” I crossed my arms and shook my head. “You think he's just hanging around waiting for you to shout for him?”
“You shouted for me, Your Majesty?” Torli came running up, his red hair flopping around his antlers.
King Falken smirked at me before turning toward Torli. “Torli, I need you to find several small items with resonant enchantment loops and several small items enchanted withoutresonant loops. Have someone bring them to Master Sevarin's lab as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Torli ran off.
“Has Commander Ronru questioned the alchemists?” I asked.
“Yes, but all of them have schedules they've kept to the last few days. He also spoke to the horns on duty, and none of them remembered anyone coming up to the wall walk who wasn't a soldier.”
