Page 27

27

NEO

“ T hat was entertaining,” Mother announced.

Neo was back in the palace, in yet another private meeting with his mother, Hans, and Diana. He’d seen Zula reunite with her father, then excused himself to see to matters of the crown, as was his duty. Three days had passed since the death of the witch and his men had been busy, rounding up gangs of thieves.

“I disagree,” Hans said dryly. “We shouldn’t have let that witch get so far with her power. What would have happened if she’d succeeded?”

Diana shuddered. “But she didn’t succeed. We stopped her. ”

“Zula stopped her,” Neo said, then wished he hadn’t said anything when his mother gave him a sharp look.

She folded her hands on the table, studying him. “Seems we have a problem. A thief on our hands.”

“You could pardon her and send her away, with some dire warnings about thieving,” Hans recommended. “I don’t like the idea of her here in the palace.”

“But if you send her away, she might get bored and turn back to her thieving ways,” Diana said.

“Neo, what do you think?” Mother asked.

Neo opened his mouth and closed it again, wondering if he’d been led into a trap. Had they seen him kissing the Blue-Feathered Bard like his life depended on it? He certainly could not admit his feelings to them, although nothing got past his mother. “I will keep an eye on her,” he said weakly. “She’s good at what she does. There might be a use for her skills.”

Diana snorted. “She’d be a good spy, wouldn’t she?”

“We always need informants,” Hans agreed .

“Informants should be trusted, not former criminals.” Mother shook her head. “No, we don’t know that she has reformed. This business with the witch was very personal. We need another test, another way to discover whether she will be true, or go off on her own again. Neo, I want you to take her to find the buried harp.”

Neo groaned and put his head in his hands. “Mother, it’s been lost for centuries. It’s an impossible task.”

“Oh, and whose information are you relying on?”

Neo lifted his head, then glanced from Hans to Diana. “It’s real? It’s been found? How come I’m the only one who is surprised?”

Hans shrugged. “You weren’t here. We’d spoken about it at length?—”

“Argued,” Diana interrupted, eyes sparkling. “Nothing good can come of finding it. It’s a magical relic.”

“It’s a gift from the gods,” Hans went on. “Might be useful to have. Besides, now that we have an inkling of its location, I’m sure others do too. It will be a race to find it first. Perhaps no one should have it, that’s true, but if it’s going to be found, we should be the ones to find it.”

“Good. It’s settled, then,” Mother said. “Neo, there’s a bit of peace in our kingdom now. Your men will continue the good work you’ve begun, but your new orders are to take this Blue-Feathered Bard and find the buried harp. Between the two of you, I’m sure you’ll be successful.”

“Mother . . . ” Neo trailed off.

She stood. “This has been productive, but there are other responsibilities to set our minds to. Come see me before you leave, Neo. I’ll give you the details you need.”

With those words, she swept from the room, leaving Neo with his brother and sister. He glanced at them, but Diana stood, yawned. “I supposed it’s going to be boring again for a bit.” She winked at Neo as she slipped out of the room.

“I don’t like the idea of you going off with that thief,” Hans said. “Keep the parrot charm—I’m sure it will continue to protect you from her, although I get the idea she’s more likely to charm you than you her. ”

Neo shook his head. “I’ll do my best.”

“You better.” Hans stood, then paused in the doorway. “Good job, by the way. It was your quick thinking that saved the kingdom.”

Neo glowed under the praise.