"Is there anything you can do to prevent me from going?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Elucia needs the Federation's support to survive. I can't overrule a formal diplomatic request from the Head of the Council and keep his son against his will. I will not endanger the weapons shipments, the trade agreements, the medical supplies, and everything else that keeps our peoplealive between Shedun attacks." He put a hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes the right move feels like surrender, Alar. This is one of those times."
"What about the prophecy?"
"The prophecy will unfold as it must. Your part in it is not over simply because you're temporarily changing your address." His eyes held that infuriating twinkle that suggested he knew far more than he was sharing. "Trust the process."
"With all due respect, Shaman, the process just expelled me from the Dragon Force."
"You are not expelled. You are on leave." He squeezed my shoulder and released it. "Treat it as such and don't let your family dictate your future." He resumed walking. "Come into my office. You can use my phone to call home and get answers."
The offer was both unexpected and welcome. I couldn't wait to get actual answers from my mother.
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
"It is the least I can do."
He opened the door to the antechamber before his office, and his assistant rose to his feet to greet him.
Saphir waved him down. "Sit down, Desin. I'm taking Alar to my office to make a phone call."
"Yes, sir." The second-year cadet did as he was told.
We entered the inner office, and Saphir closed the door behind him.
"My line is not monitored, so you can speak freely, but I have to stay here and supervise, or Lesten would have my head."
I very much doubted that, but I didn't expect to be allowed privacy for my call.
Saphir motioned for me to sit on the other side of his desk and picked up the phone.
"I need a private line to the royal house of Catonia."
I didn't hear what the person on the other side said, but Saphir handed me the receiver, so I assumed the call was being placed.
"It will take a few moments to make the connection. It has to go through several switchboards," Saphir explained.
As the connection was made through the international exchange, I listened to the clicks and hisses, imagining the signal traveling through underground cables, across the border, and into the Elurian telephone network. The connection took nearly three minutes to establish, during which I rehearsed and discarded a dozen opening lines.
"The court of King Alaranthus the Fourth," a voice answered. "How may I direct your call?"
"This is Prince Alaranthus Tekumuton. I need to speak with my mother."
The pause lasted longer than it should have. "One moment, Your Highness."
I hadn't been addressed by that title in months, and hearing it now felt like a collar being fastened around my neck.
The line clicked twice. "Alar." My mother's voice filled my ear. "I've been expecting your call."
"Hello, Mother."
"I assume our official request for your discharge was delivered."
"It was."
"How much trouble are you in?"
"I'm not in trouble. I'm just being torn away from everything I ever wanted." I gripped the receiver hard enough that it creaked. "I need you to be honest with me. What is the situation with Father?"
