Chapter 5: Knight, Cook, Adventurer, Queen

Gibari wiped the sweat off his face as he finished hauling the enormous block of stone into place. The Knight hanging in the scaffolding above flashed him a thumbs-up.

"Thanks, Gibari! Go talk to the commander to see if he's got anything else!"

"This is too much like bein' back in the knighthood," grumbled Gibari good-naturedly, his face shining with sweat. "All work and no play!"

The knight, shirtless with long pants and equally sweaty, laughed. "You can always swing up here and we'll give you fun!"

"I think I'll leave that to you, Cadron," grinned the fisherman-turned-laborer, and headed back inside the castle of Elnath. Almost immediately after the big man had returned to Diadem, he had been "recruited" by its knights to help with restoration and general management. Gibari had refused every desk job they'd offered him, not wanting to get bogged down in bureaucratic affairs. Instead, he lent his strength where it was needed, particularly in rebuilding King Ladekahn's castle, which had been severely damaged in the earlier Imperial assault and later demonic siege of Malpercio's minions. Now Diadem and Alfard were on fair terms. Gibari was pleased but not surprised to see that they'd elected his old friend Lyude as their new leader, or Speaker, or whatever fancy name they'd called it. He had seen Lyude just yesterday when he'd come to Diadem personally to negotiate a trade agreement, and the kid seemed to be doing great, even if he was a little tired. Gibari hadn't heard from any of the others, but he assumed they were doing just fine.

"Sun getting to you, or are you telling me you're done?" came a light-hearted jab to his right. Gibari turned to see the head of the Diadem Knights walking towards him.

Gibari scoffed. "Fightin' Malpercio was hotter than this, Gavin! Give me what you've got, sir."

Commander Gavin clapped him on the back. "Well, I do have a job that requires agility and guile, not to mention a sense of diplomacy and tact."

Gibari looked around. "If I see someone matchin' that description, I'll be sure to tell you."

The commander laughed. "I need you to go persuade the head cook that it's lunchtime and the men need their food brought to them."

Gibari nodded gravely. "Without a doubt, your trust is wisely placed. I'm your man."

"Good luck with this most serious mission, Gibari. And…" The head Knight leaned a little closer and dropped his voice. "We wouldn't mind if we had your help a little more permanently."

Gibari's joking manner faded. "You know my answer, sir."

"I do." The commander sighed. "Yet I try my best to persuade you. You made a fine Knight, if you don't mind my saying. And I think that if she were here, she would want…"

"I don't really care," said Gibari abruptly. "If you'll excuse me, I have a mission to carry out here."

Gavin watched him leave. Beneath the jovial exterior, he knew that Gibari hid a great deal, from himself as well as others. He just wished there were some way that he could make Gibari see that he had done nothing wrong.

The sun was beginning to set as Gibari walked through the streets of Sheliak. Although it was not quite quiet, the city had settled down from the afternoon bustle. Most bars were still open even if some shops had closed.

A rattling sound caught his attention. A hunchbacked ragged old man leaned against a nearby building, shaking a cup that clinked with only a few coins. A cloth swathed his eyes, and a cane lay at his feet.

"Please, help a blind man," he said, holding out the cup to a spot a few feet to the left of Gibari. "I have nothing. I need food."

Gibari felt bad for the man, guessing some minion of Malpercio's had destroyed whatever life he once had. He dug in his pocket for change and came up with several gold pieces. He dropped them into the beggar's mug.

Excitedly the beggar felt them. "Ah, sir, you have given an old man enough to survive another day. You have my undying gratitude."

"Ah, it's nothin'. You're welcome." Gibari started to turn away, but the old man said, "Please, kind sir, allow me to give you something. I am blind and have no more use for it, but perhaps a sighted man such as yourself would like it." He picked up his cane and hobbled towards a little alley. Curious, Gibari followed. The beggar led him deeper into the alley until he could not see its entrance and it was dark in the twilight and shadows of the two buildings.

"Uh, sir?" asked Gibari, slightly nervous. "It's all right. You don't have to go to all this trouble…"

"Oh, it's no trouble." The "blind" beggar stopped and turned to him, pointing his cane at him. Too late, Gibari realized it was a gun. "No trouble at all…"

He fired.

Gibari threw himself to the side, drawing a defensive Magnus as he did so. He felt the bullet impact the helm that materialized around his head, but it did not penetrate his skull the way the "beggar" had obviously intended it to.

The would-be assassin cursed, aimed, and fired again. This time Gibari was prepared. He blocked this shot with an armor Magnus he possessed, and then drew out his attacking card. A wicked-looking black oar appeared in his hands.

"Shoot this!" he yelled as he swung it solidly into the assassin's head. The man's eyes bugged and rolled up into his head. He dropped to the ground.

Gibari stepped on his "cane," breaking the gun in two. He returned the oar to its Magnus and hauled the beggar to his feet, slapping him until he came to.

"What the hell do you mean, trying to kill me?" he shouted.

The old man stared defiantly back at him, looking as serious as he could when he was dangling in the air, held by the collar of his tattered black shirt. "We are the Silent Wings! And even if I have failed, the others have surely succeeded." Suddenly he withdrew a Magnus from his sleeve, and a dagger came to his hand. He slashed at Gibari, and the big man yelled and hurled him against the wall. The beggar was surprisingly agile, for he twisted so that his feet were towards the wall. He rebounded up towards the sky. Gibari expected him to fall, but suddenly wings blossomed from beneath the old man's shirt, and he flew away into the clouds. Something drifted down into the alley as he disappeared.

Gibari cursed and put a hand to his right forearm, which was bleeding from the dagger cut. He had been stupid enough not to search the assassin for any other Magnus before dealing with him. He should have dragged him out of the ally where others could see and gotten help. The hunch on the man's back must have been winglets, and his cane… Gibari picked it up. It was cleverly disguised so that one might think it was just a gnarled stick, but it was clearly of Imperial design. Combine that and the winglets…

These Silent Wings, whoever they were, must be from Alfard.

Or was that only what they wanted him to think? Gibari picked up the thing the assassin had dropped. It was a mask that looked like the old man's face. Of course. A real beggar wouldn't lead him back into an alley. Such an obvious ploy, and he had very nearly fallen for it.

What about the "others" the assassin spoke of? Gibari felt a sudden surge of fear as he realized his friends were likely in danger. King Ladekahn had to know, and so did Kalas and the others, now.

Gibari headed out of the dark alley at a near run, still carrying the broken cane and mask, and hoped it wasn't already too late.

"You're wielding that spoon like it's a sword, my dear. This is cooking, not combat."

Awkwardly, Savyna adjusted her grip. "How's this?"

"Ah… here." Mayfee's grandmother moved her fingers about ever so slightly. "Just stir the soup. It's not going to attack you."

The ghost of a smile graced Savyna's severe features. "After a lifetime of fighting, it's hard to get used to a place where you don't always have to be on your toes."

"Opu is a peaceful village. This life is good for you, Savyna. I see you smile more often now than Mayfee or I ever saw you smile since you first came here."

"I suppose I am more… relaxed." Savyna stopped stirring and tasted the soup. "Is this all right?"

The old lady stuck her finger in and licked it thoughtfully. "Add a bit more salt and you should be right on the money."

Savyna took a pinch of the snow-white grains and sprinkled them in. She stirred vigorously for a moment, then took the pot off the fire. Taking a ladle, she spooned the soup out into three bowls, which she laid on the nearby table. She plucked three sprigs from a nearby herb growing in the kitchen and dropped them neatly into the soup for effect. That done, she poured three large mugs of green tea and set the steaming brews down at their places.

"Mayfee should be back any moment now," Mayfee's grandmother remarked as they sat down. "She would not miss your night to cook!"

Savyna said nothing and watched the door. She inhaled the aroma of the thick pea soup and hoped it would taste as good as it smelled.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes. Mayfee did not appear. Finally, her grandmother said, "I suppose she might not mind if we began eating. The soup's getting cold."

Savyna heard running footsteps and looked up to see a boy come running in. He was about Mayfee's age and she recognized him from Opu.

"Something you need, San?" she asked the lad.

"Hey, Miss Savyna, Mayfee wants ya. She's waitin' for you at the Celestial Tree," the boy panted. "She said to come real quick."

"I'll be right back," said Savyna to the old woman, rising. "Thank you, San."

"No problem," San grinned. "See ya!" He ran out.

Savyna strode quickly out of the serene waterfall village, not pausing on the bridge to contemplate the rumbling falls or listen to the birds call softly in the evening. Her steps lead her quickly to the place where the gigantic Celestial Tree grew.

The sacred Celestial Tree was a dominant force in the life of the people of Anuenue. It rarely bloomed, only once in sixty years, so when it blossomed, it was cause for festivities all over Anuenue. The tree had put forth its pale pink blossoms only recently, after missing several cycles of blooming, and some people were still celebrating, even though the flowers were beginning to wilt and the seeds were mostly spent. The Tree was looked after by guardians, who lived nearby and tended to the Tree. Mayfee was such a guardian, so Savyna was not too worried that she had been summoned to the Celestial Tree, only a little surprised at the timing. It must be something urgent if Mayfee missed dinner because of it.

In the dimming twilight, Savyna entered the grove of the Celestial Tree. The sun had not quite set in other parts, but the trees and mountains of Anuenue cast long shadows over the land. Only the top of the Celestial Tree was still aflame in orange and scarlet light. Savyna could see no sign of Mayfee.

Instantly her senses were heightened, and she poised on the balls of her feet. That Mayfee was missing might not be a cause for alarm, but her fighting instincts were kicking in, and they told her something was wrong.

She scanned the base of the tree and the huts of the guardians. There was nothing she could see, and all was quiet.

Too quiet.

Only a slight glimmer in the shadows gave Savyna the momentary warning she needed. She threw herself to the ground, rolling, as a shot rang out, shattering the silence of the twilight grove. The bullet screamed through the space her torso had been only moments earlier.

She came up near a hut and crawled inside, Magnus in hand. Quietly, a pair of steel knuckles with wicked-looking spikes appeared in her hand, and she put them on. Maybe the attacked had seen where she went, maybe not. She had no intention of going out into the open to search and make an excellent target. Eventually, her assailant would either come out or give up.

Suddenly leaves rustled softly, and she could hear muffled footfalls not too far from the entrance to her hiding place. She slipped a defensive Magnus out in case he knew exactly where she was, although from the sounds, he was searching.

The footsteps came dangerously close, and a pair of booted feet came into view. The boots were made of plain leather, but they were worn and marked by travel. Savyna knew that this person could not have come by airship. He – or she – had walked, and a great distance too, from the looks of it. The tops of the boots disappeared into a long black cloak that covered the rest of the assailant, making gender indeterminable. The hooded head swiveled this way and that, warily, and one gloved hand held a long Imperial rifle. The other hand was hidden.

That might conceal Magnus, but Savyna decided to take the risk. The entire assessment had taken less than ten seconds. She launched herself suddenly from her hiding place, one hand expertly grabbing the wrist of the attacker that held the gun and twisting so that the grip failed, and the other hand locking around the assailant's throat.

Caught completely by surprise, the cloaked assassin dropped the gun and choked at the grip. Still, he did not lose his head, for he leaned forward to flip Savyna over his shoulder and rip loose from her chokehold. He stopped quickly to pick up the gun while Savyna rolled and came up in a fighting stance. He fired once, twice in rapid succession, but Savyna was ready with defensive Magnus and blocked them with ease. As the assassin tried to reload, she ran forward and leaped in the air, kicking him squarely in the chest once, twice, three times, landed, and finished with an uppercut to the jaw. The assassin groaned and fell backward, but Savyna grabbed one arm and pulled him towards her, catching the other arm and twisting both behind his back, finally planting her foot in the small of his back so that the assassin arched backward painfully and was effectively immobilized.

The black hood fell back, and Savyna found herself staring into the face of a girl younger than she was. Her amber eyes glared balefully at her captor as her curly pink hair tumbled out of the hood. No note of surprise touched Savyna's face.

"Who are you, and what do you intend to gain by killing me?" she asked coldly.

The assassin laughed, without fear. "I see now why they call you 'Lady Death.' Cooking hasn't made you a fat cow like I feared it had. I do love a challenge."

Only a faint blush staining Savyna's pale cheeks hinted at her anger. "You're not in a position to be doing much. Answer me!"

The girl smiled thinly, a smile that did not touch her eyes. "Know this, then. We are the Silent Wings, and we will not rest until you are dead and give us back the sky. Don't think you can hide!" Suddenly something exploded out of her back, catching Savyna off-guard and making her lose her grip on the assassin. Instantly the girl leaped up and away, soaring on the winglets that had surprised Savyna. Soon the branches of the Celestial tree hid her from sight, and she was gone.

Silent Wings, she thought. Don't think I'll forget you either.

She heard a thumping noise suddenly, and she looked up. Mayfee was tied to a branch just above her, bound and gagged and looking terrified. She kicked her feet frantically against the trunk.

Savyna almost smiled. She scaled the tree and let Mayfee down.

"Oh, Savyna, I was so worried about you! I did send San to you because I wanted you here, but then that lady came out of nowhere and tied me up! I saw her lie in wait for you and I wanted to warn you but I couldn't reach the trunk, I had to swing back and forth a lot to get it. I thought you were going to die!" She burst into tears.

Savyna patted her and smoothed Mayfee's hair and clothes. "Calm down, Mayfee, I'm fine. If we go back now, the soup won't be too cold."

"Oh, t-that's r-right, you're c-cooking tonight," Mayfee sniffed. "I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry about it," Savyna soothed. "Let's go home."

As they walked back to Opu, she asked, "What did you want to show me?"

"Oh, that." Mayfee gave a small laugh. "I finally got a Celestial Flower." She took the crumpled blossom out of her pocket and stared at it sadly. "I guess it's r-ruined now…"

"No, no, it's perfect." Seeing that Mayfee might begin to cry again, Savyna gently took the wilted bloom and arranged it carefully in her hair. "How's that?"

Mayfee brightened. "It looks beautiful, Savyna." She smiled.

Dusk darkened the shadows of the valley.

I must warn the others, thought Savyna. If they are targeting me, they will probably be in danger as well.

"We be wanting to rent a boat, if you please."

Mizuti gave her best smile to the bulky man who sat at the dock. The grizzled man stared suspiciously at her.

"If yer anudder one o' those crackshot airship pilots 'oo thinks th' sea is th' same as th' sky, you got anudder think comin'."

"Actually, we've never piloted an airship either," said Kee brightly. Mizuti silenced him with a glare.

The man gave a low, rolling chuckle. "'Ow old are you, kid? Where're yer parents?"

Mizuti drew herself up as tall as she could, pulling out a gold coin as she did so. The man's eyes gleamed at the money, but he said nothing.

"There be more where this came from," she said carefully, "but we be needing a boat. And a map. Nothing big. Simple. Easy."

"There's no maps made o' the region yet," the mariner said irritably. "I jest finished buildin' a request meself and 'aven't 'ad time t' go out. 'Owever…" he added hurriedly, seeing Mizuti beginning to turn away, "I might be able t' spare a small dingy. Fer the right price."

"It must come with a navigator, then," Mizuti said firmly. "We be paying 500 gold, no more, no less. A bargain. More than it be worth."

"500 fer a dingy wit' a navigator? Yer robbin' me, kid! I won't settle fer less than 1500!"

"The Great Mizuti refuses to pay such an outrageous price," said Mizuti loudly over Kee's excited, "Hey, that's okay!"

"700 might be acceptable."

"Anythin' under 1200's extortion."

"The Great Mizuti refuses to pay anything higher than 800." The mariner looked like he might explode. Kee said anxiously, "Mizuti, why don't we just…"

Mizuti put a hand on his shoulder and suddenly squeezed very tightly, shutting him up. "800."

"1000!"

"Done!" said Mizuti instantly as soon as he hit her intended price. "We do not pay up front. Never. Unacceptable. Show us the boat and the navigator, and then we show you the money."

The bulky man looked resentful, but he needed the money. Reluctantly he stood and led them over to another dock, where there was a man working on a small boat.

"'Ey, Savaron." The man, who was slight and bumbly-looking, glanced up. "Savaron, yer t' guide these people 'round th' place now. Take 'em wherever they want t' go." Savaron nodded and began to put his tools away.

"Let us inspect the boat." Mizuti climbed in without invitation and scrutinized the hull of the little craft. She really didn't have a clue what to look for, but she must appear an expert or the man might likely swindle them. She ran her hands over the wood and inspected the rudder.

"The boat be suitable," she declared, getting out. "Here be your payment." She dropped a small sack of gold into the man's hand. He opened it immediately and counted it meticulously while Kee loaded their supplies into the boat. The grizzled mariner finished counting the coins and stowed them away in a pocket.

Kee was just stepping in when a small wave rocked the little craft, and he missed the plank and plunged downward. Mizuti lunged for him, but he was too far off balance and pulled her in instead. They both fell into the sea with a splash large enough to soak Savaron and the mariner.

Awkwardly, Mizuti scrambled back up to the dock, then bodily hauled Kee out of the water and plopped him into the boat. Then she jumped in next to him, adding to the growing puddle on the bottom of the boat.

The mariner growled. "Off! Now! Wit' both o' you!" Savaron grumpily pushed off with Mizuti and Kee aboard. The bulky man stalked back to shore, muttering dire implications against Mizuti and Kee, all the while bemoaning the ruin of his freshly laundered clothes. "Caked wit' sea salt, I tell you..."

Mizuti took off her hat and wrung out her hair. "Nicely done, Kee. The Great Mizuti needed a bath."

"Sorry, Mizuti..." Kee hung his head. Without his mask, he really was quite a handsome boy. Right now, however, wet strands of his pale green hair hung down in front of his face, obscuring his normally bright gray eyes. Mizuti's heart softened a little, and her sarcasm faded.

"It be all right, Kee," she said, a bit more gently.

Kee looked up and smiled at that.

"So, where you two headed?" asked Savaron from the stern of the boat. "I can take you anywhere on the sea you please." He still sounded a bit resentful from the soaking but did not seem to let it affect his business.

"Hmm... head north and west, if you please," said Mizuti authoritatively. "Just right of the sunset."

Savaron obediently turned the rudder. The sea breeze caught their sails, and they were off, skimming the waves as gracefully as a gull with the sunset's warm glow on their sides.

Kee fell asleep then, but Mizuti stayed awake, watching the color drain over the edge of the world to leave a spectacular fire of red and orange, which faded to pink, then purple, then eventually midnight blue. Stars gleamed with silver fire, and overhead the moon shed gentle white radiance on the quiet sea. Mizuti could see no land anywhere she looked, and the water was so calm she could see the heavens reflected from the sky above. On the horizon, the ocean blended in with the sky so that the two became one, and Mizuti felt as if she were sailing on a sea of stars.

The wind died softly, and they drifted at sea. Everything was peaceful and quiet.

"It be beautiful," said Mizuti in a reverent whisper. Savaron's face was illuminated by moonlight for a moment, shadows vanishing. Then he pulled a hood over his head and his features were shrouded in darkness.

"It is, isn't it?" he asked softly. "I would die happy if this was the last thing I saw."

"I believe... the Great Mizuti believes that too."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Huh?" Mizuti turned around in time to see Savaron take a gun out from beneath the beam he was sitting on.

"Because it will be the last thing you ever see." He fired.

Mizuti was already diving down, one hand in her pocket for her deck of Magnus, and the shot shattered the hull behind her. "Kee!" she screamed.

Kee awoke instantly and saw Savaron with a gun pointed at Mizuti. "Huh... Mizuti! No!" He flung himself at their traitorous navigator in time to send another shot sailing harmlessly across the water. By now, Mizuti had her deck out. She drew a magical card and unleashed its fury. "Wind Blow!"

Savaron was knocked on his rear, another shot screaming into the sky, as the boat rocked from the force of Mizuti's spell.

"Kee, out of the way!" she shouted, pulling Magnus out and unleashing a barrage of magical attacks, narrowly missing poor Kee, who crawled to her side of the boat as fast as he could. Finally, Mizuti pulled out her finisher in triumph.

"The Great Mizuti be angry!" she told the assassin, who was gasping from the barrage. He didn't stand a chance.

"Heaven's Pillar!" Four great crosses materialized out of the sky, lightning flashed, and they slammed down on Savaron, crushing him into the sea. The boat splintered asunder with the force of the blow, and they began to sink rapidly.

"Oops," said Mizuti. "Quick, Kee, grab on!" Kee grasped her hand, and the two had their second dunking as the boat capsized. Savaron's half had shot in the opposite direction with the impact from Mizuti's spell, and the wreckage now drifted slowly away.

Mizuti and Kee clung to a bit of the hull of their former boat. "M-Mizuti, w-what h-happened?" Kee chattered. The seawater was cold, and the breeze that had sprung up again did not help matters.

"Our n-navigator t-tried to k-kill us. Evil. T-Traitor." Mizuti couldn't stop shivering either. "K-Kee, look at t-the st-stars and f-figure out which w-way is n-north!"

Kee looked up, his teeth chattering. Then he pointed. "T-That way!"

"We w-went pretty f-far. N-North b-be the fastest w-way to land." Mizuti started to paddle. "K-Keep m-moving."

Letting out a sigh that turned into a shiver, Kee began working as best he could. The two were alone under an empty sky full of distant stars, and were soon lost in the dark waters.

"I feel like I should be cold, but I'm not. That's just weird."

"You wouldn't be happy without something to complain about, would you, Kalas?"

"It's not a crime, Xelha."

Xelha smiled gently and laughed. "You'll get used to Wazn after a while. The palace is laid with enchantments to keep the ice cold and the people warm."

Kalas shrugged. "Anyway, why did Barnette summon us?"

"They're planning a feast tonight. Of course we're invited. I mean, it's not terribly big – almost a family thing – but I still want you to come." Her hazel eyes glowed as she looked at him. Inside, Kalas felt something melt at the sight of those eyes. He shook his head, irritated with himself, but he was grinning.

"Why would I refuse such an honor?"

Xelha laughed, took his hand, and led him up the glittering ice stairs of the palace.

"Xelha! Kalas! I'm glad you could come, my queen, with your companion," Barnette greeted them as they entered the throne room. A long table was set up, draped with a filmy white cloth, and places were set for six.

"Small feast indeed," remarked Kalas, noting the table.

"The enchantresses are not here yet," Barnette apologized. "I'm sure they'll be here shortly. In the meantime, please be seated."

A servant seated Xelha at the head of the table, with Kalas on her right and Barnette on her left. The white-haired old nurse smiled nervously.

"I don't know why they're so late..." she said, slightly anxious. "I thought they were in the palace."

"Madam?" a servant called through the door. "The first course is ready. Would you prefer to wait?"

"Give them ten minutes," ordered Xelha. "They may have pressing affairs."

"There are some... matters that require your attention," Barnette admitted after the servant left.

"Something wrong?" asked Kalas, sipping the white wine that had been provided.

"Indeed," Barnette sighed. "However, I have very limited knowledge on the subject, and I did not wish to bring this up until the sorceresses arrived."

"Something magical then," Xelha guessed.

Barnette looked uncomfortable. "I don't wish to worry you yet. We'll discuss it later. How long are you planning on staying, Queen Xelha?"

"Not too long," said Xelha. "There are countries in worse shape than Wazn, and I wish to help them. Kalas and I were planning on seeing some of our old friends as we travel."

"I see." Barnette shot them a knowing look. "Well, whatever you two decide, let me know."

Xelha blushed. Kalas looked clueless.

Barnette smiled, then looked around. "They are unreasonably late now. Would you like to go ahead and start?"

"I'm starving!" Kalas agreed. Xelha nodded, and Barnette summoned the servant. Soon three covered platters were carried in, and when they were uncovered at their place, they revealed a steaming large mushroom nestled in a bed of stewed greens with a white sauce on the side. The whole thing smelled delicious.

As the servant exited, they heard a cry. "No, Mr. Buns, no!"

A small bunnycat shot between the legs of one startled servant and leaped upon the table, meowing. He sauntered over as if he owned the place and took a bite out of Xelha's mushroom.

"Mrw!"

"Mr. Buns!" A panting woman, red-faced, appeared at the door. She looked mortified at the scene. "Oh, Your Majesty, I'm so sorry! I was about to give Mr. Buns his grooming and he ran off! Come back here, you naughty bunnycat!" She started around the table, but the bunnycat leaped onto Xelha's shoulders, purring softly. She laughed and picked him up.

"Hungry, are you, little one?" she asked. "It's okay. You can tell me now if the mushroom is as good as it smells."

The bunnycat mewed, but then suddenly stiffened. Its entire body went rigid and its claws splayed. It thrashed suddenly in Xelha's grip, and she dropped it with a cry. "Oh!"

The bunnycat fell to the floor with thud. It twitched once and lay still.

They stared at the prone animal. "What... is it... dead?" asked Kalas, getting down to check it. It was not breathing, and he could detect no pulse. He looked at Xelha and shook his head. She gasped.

"Your... Your Majesty! Do not touch the food!" cried Barnette in a strangled voice. Kalas instantly pulled Xelha out of her chair and away from the table. The woman who owned the bunnycat screamed. Immediately, the servants came running in, in time to see Kalas knock the dishes off the table with a crash.

"It's poisoned!" he yelled, drawing his sword. "What are you trying to pull?"

Barnette and the servants backed up, frightened. "My Queen, I assure you, I had no knowledge of this!"

Suddenly a shot rang out, and they could hear cries coming from downstairs. "Stop him! He's got a gun!"

The servants ran out and began to drag the door shut. Just as they were almost finished, a man dressed in chef's outfit appeared at the top of the stairs, carrying an Imperial rifle. He aimed at Xelha and Kalas through the crack in the door and fired.

"No!" Kalas grabbed Xelha and nearly slammed her into the floor as they both dropped to avoid the bullet. The ice wall cracked behind them. At that moment, the servants closed the door.

Kalas and Xelha lay on the floor, panting. Xelha sat up, rubbing her bruised side.

"Thank you for saving me, Kalas. And the poor bunnycat... if he hadn't eaten that, I would have."

"If they're going to kill us, they might as well do it in the open and in fair battle," Kalas grumbled. He got up and brushed her off.

"Your Majesty! Are you all right?" Barnette asked, rushing over to her queen. "You didn't eat anything? The bullet missed?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks to Kalas and Mr. Buns," said Xelha softly. She walked over to the bunnycat's owner, who was cradling the body of her dead pet and weeping softly. "I'm so sorry," she said gently, her eyes shining with her own tears.

"It's all right, Your Majesty," she sniffed. "He died saving you. I'm sure... I'm sure he's happy." She got up, carrying the bunnycat and walked to the door.

"Don't go out yet, madam," one of the servants informed her. "Wait for the all clear."

"It's clear!" came a voice from outside. "Let us in. We're here to see Queen Xelha and Kalas."

"That voice..." said Barnette. "They're here!"

"A bit too late, it seems," said Kodelle regretfully, walking in the door the servants opened. Her two sisters followed close behind her. "Our assassin cook flew away on winglets he had hidden. Catranne tried to follow him, but he was too fast."

"This was obviously well-planned," said Glamyss, the middle sister. "And it's not a random occurrence. We have been collecting data from all the nations, and yours is the fourth such attempt made."

Xelha gasped. "Who... what's doing this? Who else was targeted?"

"The first assassin was in Alfard. He attempted to murder the new Speaker, Lyude. However, Lyude survived, but the assassin was killed before anyone could get any information. The second attempt was made on Gibari's life, the day after Alfard's assassin. Again, he made good his getaway, but not before Gibari learned he was part of a group called the 'Silent Wings.' The third attempt targeted Savyna in Anuenue, but failed. Savyna learned the group's objectives – to kill those who defeated Malpercio and regain their lost wings – before the assassin escaped.

"And now, we have this." Glamyss looked distaste at the food spilled on the floor. "Clearly their targets are you and your companions. Your Majesty, you are not safe here."

"Wait..." interrupted Xelha. "You didn't mention Mizuti. She was going adventuring in Duhr. Is she all right?"

Kodelle looked grave. "I cannot say. Last we knew, she and Kee were looking for a boat. Some of my informants in Duhr have gone silent. I fear the worst."

"There is another reason you are not safe here," interjected Barnette. She glanced at the three sorceresses. "Now that they are here, they can explain."

"Oh. Right." The third sister turned to Xelha sadly. "I'm afraid there's no end to this bad news, Your Majesty. There's only one way I can say this." She paused a moment, and then continued. "Wazn is melting."

"What? No way!" Kalas blurted out. "I mean, isn't that supposed to be impossible?"

"For unknown reasons, the enchantments that keep Wazn forever cold are failing. Upon examination, we've determined they've been failing since Malpercio was defeated and Wazn returned to the sea."

"Can't you do anything to restore them?" asked Xelha almost pleadingly.

"We don't have enough power, Your Majesty," Catranne said helplessly. "The power of the End Magnus might have a difference, but it's long gone now."

Xelha sighed and looked at the floor. "I wouldn't have wanted to use the power of Malpercio anyway, not even to restore my land." She gazed at the walls of the palace around her, trying to capture it and keep it in memory forever. "We'll have to evacuate the people, won't we? How long do we have?"

"By my estimate, no more than three or four months," Glamyss said. "In a week or two, you will begin to notice the warming. Then the melting will begin, and it will be swift. I suggest giving notice now, or very soon."

"There is one more thing," said Kodelle cautiously.

"What now?" asked Kalas, exasperated by the turn of events.

"When Wazn melts, the water added will cause the sea level to rise. We can't say for sure, but our estimate now is five or six feet. Maybe more, depending on how much ice is in the mountains."

"All the more reason to tell the people now," Xelha said sadly. She looked at Kalas, and her gaze said, We have a lot of work to do.

Kalas sighed and nodded. "I'm stuck here. I might as well."

A hint of her former smile came back to Xelha's weary face. "Thanks, Kalas."

Kalas thought he could see Xelha's shoulders slump a little under the weight of command she had reassumed. But he must have imagined it, for she stood upright and began to exit the chamber, trailed by Barnette and the three witches. Kalas shook his head and followed.