Page 16 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)
W ith the help of Ishmyel, Anyka soon had a new announcement crafted. She’d decided not to make the announcement in person but to simply have it posted in the square and then disseminated across the kingdom.
Chyles bent over the parchment, carefully adding the last few words. While she waited, she stroked the feathers on Galwyn’s breast and glanced at Hawke, who was standing at the windows, looking out at the village.
“It’s still spreading,” he said.
“I imagine it will for some time.” The panic she’d felt earlier was gone. The situation was not as she’d imagined it, but she’d adapted. It would be fine. Those she cared about were fine. She’d sent another guard to the stables to let Mucklow, her stablemaster, know what to do.
She couldn’t have the man who looked after her warhorses succumbing to terrors. At least she didn’t have to worry about the animals. Brentha had assured her the fog had no effect on them.
She fed Galwyn a sliver of dried venison. He gobbled it down.
Hawke frowned. “It looks like it’s already gone down to the sea.”
“It has. That’s why those three Wyvern were here.” She’d caught a glimpse of them early and watched them closely to be sure they weren’t doing anything nefarious. “I’m sure they were on Sparrow’s orders, trying to find out what was going on.”
He shook his head. “We should have had archers take them down.”
She rolled her eyes. “Perhaps, but I like the idea of Sparrow worrying that I’m sending some unknown magic her way.”
Hawke turned. “You really believe that’s what she’ll think? Aren’t you concerned she’ll see the fog as a threat?”
“And what if she does? She has to know I am not happy with her decision to steal the grimoire and use it for her own purposes. To glorify herself to my people.” Anyka sat forward, causing Galwyn to shift. “Can you imagine if I’d done something like that to her kingdom? Pfft .”
She threw a hand up in disgust and sat back. Galwyn danced on her shoulder, moving closer to her head. “You all worry too much about Sparrow and not enough about your own people.”
Hawke gave her a sharp look, and she caught her uncle smirking.
She knew what they were thinking. That it was ironic of her to say such a thing when she’d unleashed the fog. Well, that was all going to work out just fine, wasn’t it? She studied her nails. Time for her manicurist to visit. “Chyles, aren’t you done yet?”
“Yes, my lady, nearly there.” He dotted the final I. “All ready.”
She took it from him, read it over, and nodded. “Take that to the printers. Have copies made to be sent out across the kingdom. Emergency protocol. Make sure a copy is sent back up here to me.”
He took it from her and nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
He left, and Anyka wondered if she should change before she went to dinner. The trolls would be heading home soon. Might be good for them to see her again in something regal. She’d definitely need a tiara. Or one of her more ornate circlets.
“Wyett, fetch Jenny for me.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“And tell Nazyr I want him to accompany the crier when the new announcement is posted. It would be good for him to be there and answer a few questions from the villagers. He’s the best one to speak on matters of magic, after all.”
“Yes, my lady.” Wyett left.
“You’re going to have someone take questions?” Ishmyel raised his brows.
“Why not? I want the people to feel reassured. To know that the crown is here and available for them. I have to combat any sympathetic feelings they might still be harboring toward Sparrow. And Nazyr needs to feel included right now. He’s upset with me because I went to the trolls for magic and not him.
” She shook her head. “The things I must do to keep peace.”
Hawke came away from the window and took the closest seat to her. “Do you really plan on making yourself available to them?”
She frowned at him. “Of course not. I have a kingdom to run. A potential war on the horizon. And, possibly, a wedding to arrange. I do not have time for the petty grievances of the villagers. After Nazyr’s appearance today, one of the lesser ministers can handle it, if there are any citizens so bold as to actually seek me out. ”
Jenny appeared, slightly out of breath and face flushed, as if she’d been running. She curtseyed. “I’m here, my lady.”
“Find me something suitable for this evening’s dinner. I want to look appropriately regal.”
“Right away, your highness.” She went off into Anyka’s bedchamber and dressing area.
Anyka’s stomach rumbled. Good thing she was headed to dinner. She wondered what sort of meal the kitchen was putting on for the trolls. Whatever it was, there would be plenty. Eating with them was exhausting, but it was good for relations.
She’d have the upper hand once Beatryce was married to Dren. He might be the king’s second son, but Beatryce would be queen. Anyka was giving the trolls a foothold in her kingdom they would never have otherwise.
Hopefully, Korruk would have an answer from the king about the betrothal. There was no way he would turn down this opportunity. Her stomach rumbled again. She looked over her shoulder. “Quicker, Jenny.”
“Yes, my lady,” came the answer.
“Uncle. You will accompany me to dinner with the trolls.”
He nodded. “It would be my honor.”
She was about to get up and see if Jenny was ready for her when Wyett returned. She frowned at him. “Where is Nazyr? I wanted to speak to him before he went into the village.”
He shook his head. “Not in, my lady. He left word with Vice-Minister Evenshade that he would be gone a few days. Apparently, he’s gone into the woods to collect much-needed supplies that have been recently depleted from his magical stores.”
She was unimpressed. “That sounds like a tale. He’s pouting because he’s mad at me.
If he thinks that a few days of him being gone is going to make me miss him, he’s very wrong.
Vice-Minister Evenshade is a fine magician with nearly comparable skills.
Let Grylan know that he’ll be accompanying the crier into the village today and that he may need to answer some questions.
Also, we’re leaving for dinner in the dining hall as soon as I have changed. I want Grylan there as well.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Wyett left again. Anyka got up and carried Galwyn to the nearest perch. She glanced at Ishmyel and Hawke. “You’re free to go down to the dining hall if you want. I’ll be down when I’m ready.”
Hawke got up, but Ishmyel stayed seated. “Would you like me to walk with you? I am happy to wait on you, my darling niece.”
“I have Trog to walk me down. Go on and mingle. I’m sure the troll delegation will enjoy your company.”
He and Hawke left together. She went into the bedroom to see what selections Jenny had laid out.
“My lady, I was just coming to get you. What do you think of this dress? You’ve not worn it in ages that I can remember.”
It was a deep rose with silver embroidery accented with garnet beads. A platinum, diamond, and garnet tiara had been set out along with the matching earrings and bracelet, along with a garnet and platinum ring. At the tiara’s center was a star ruby the size of a quillow’s egg.
Silver slippers sat nearby, waiting to complete the look.
Anyka nodded. “Yes, that will do.”
Jenny got her dressed and rearranged her hair to accommodate the new tiara. As Jenny worked, Anyka pondered the issue of Nazyr.
He was clearly more upset than she’d realized. Leaving when things were so tenuous was meant to hurt her, she knew that. His anger seemed, to her, to be more his problem than hers, however. He had been slow to provide her with the magic she’d asked for.
And letting the trolls help was merely a way of further cementing the alliance. Something that Beatryce’s marriage would truly seal. But it was petty of him not to understand these things.
She exhaled. Perhaps it was time for Nazyr to step down. He’d be free to pursue whatever he desired then. She might even find a teaching position for him. Surely one of the academies that specialized in training young Grym to use their natural talents would love a sorcerer of his power.
Her eyes narrowed. If Nazyr still had that power. Was it possible that his sickness at Willow Hall had damaged his abilities? That being possessed by a spirit from the Beyond had harmed his skills in some way?
Touching the Beyond had affected her. Even now she could feel the darkness coiled inside her. But it hadn’t been that detrimental.
Perhaps Nazyr’s experience had been different. Perhaps that was the true seat of his anger. Not with her but the loss of his magic. If so, she felt for him, a pity that was as unexpected as this new realization. It would explain why he hadn’t been able to come up with the spell she’d asked for.
She might speak to Grylan and see if he had sensed anything of the kind. Fortunately, he would do as a suitable replacement, if it came to that.
Jenny stepped back. “Any changes, my lady?”
Anyka turned to look into the mirror. She almost smiled. Why had she not worn this dress? It was very becoming. “No, that will do. You may go.”
After Jenny left, Anyka did a quick twirl, and this time, she did smile.
Head held high, she walked out, gave Galwyn a quick kiss and a few more bits of dried meat, then headed for the door. Wyett wasn’t back yet, but he knew where she’d be.
Chyles was outside. He held out her copy of the letter. He bowed. “My lady.”
She set it on the table by her door. “You’re dismissed.” With a nod, he left.
She stepped out. “Dining hall, Trog.”
He grunted and fell into step behind her.
As soon as she arrived at the hall and was announced, it was plain she was early. Fortunately, Korruk was there. She headed for him. “High Warden Korruk.”
He bowed deeply, smiling. “Queen Anyka, you look more beautiful every time I see you. The Grym are truly a blessed people.”
She gave him a smile. “You flatter me. Any word from the king?”
“As a matter of fact, there has been.” Korruk stepped closer.
“He is honored to accept the betrothal on behalf of his son, and Dren is en route to meet the lovely Beatryce so that they might get acquainted and planning can begin. He will be arriving with his man-at-arms and a personal guard. I assume that won’t be as issue? ”
“Of course not. This is wonderful. The sooner this marriage can be celebrated, the better.”
Korruk nodded. “We are in agreement there.”
“Good. I believe it can be accomplished in two months’ time. Will you send word back to the king? He must be here, obviously.”
“I will send word immediately.”
“Beatryce will be thrilled.” And the kingdom’s people would have something much more interesting to think about than wayward troll magic or the possibility of war.