The fact that Mage Zephyr didn’t check the parapets before we ascended was a sign he thought little of the queen’s authority over him. Or perhaps he just knew that none in our party would be so impolite to report his inefficiencies to Her Majesty. The steward’s attendant, on the other hand, overflowed with eagerness to please us. He pointed out landmarks and told us stories of the siege forty years before when Heideland invaded the country. He also spoke of the time thirteen years past whenKing Leofric shut the castle gates for six months to avoid the pestilence ravaging the land.
That plague had taken my parents. The peasants hadn’t the luxury of locking themselves away for half a year.
After we had spanned the wall and sufficiently declared that the surrounding land was indeed the most beautiful in the country, we returned to the castle to freshen up before supper.
Despite my attempts to keep my gown clean, I’d managed to get dirt on my hem. As I made my way down the hallway to my room, I considered the blemish crossly and wondered if the stain would come out with soap and water. I knew a spell for removing stains. It had proved to be one of the more useful bits of magic I’d learned. But I needed to conserve my strength.
I looked up to see that one of the king’s guards stood waiting outside my door. This was likely not good news.
CHAPTER 19
My footsteps stuttered. Had something gone wrong? Had I been caught?
No, I couldn’t allow such thoughts. I couldn’t show any guilt or stare unnecessarily at the guard’s sword, sheathed and hanging at his hip. I swept up to my door as though the man was there to offer me favors. He was tall, perhaps in his thirties, with heavy brows and a serious countenance. “Lady Marcella?”
“Yes?”
“Come with me, please.” He didn’t wait for questions but instead began marching down the hall, expecting me to join him.
I didn’t move. “What’s this about?”
He turned back toward me impatiently. “Mage Saxeus wishes to speak with you.”
The king’s new wizard. The one whose chambers Gwenyth had been enquiring about. Somethinghadgone wrong, but I wasn’t sure whether he’d discovered something about me or her. I needed to find out more information. “If Mage Saxeus wishes to speak to me, tell him I’m amenable to receiving visitors if my aunt is present.”
The guard’s expression showed only more impatience. “He bids you to come to him. I was sent to bring you.”
The guard wasn’t going to tell me more. A pity since I didn’t know whether I should be fleeing or thinking of some explanation to spin. I reached for the doorknob. “One moment. I should tell my lady’s maid of my whereabouts.”
“She isn’t there,” the guard said.
“Where is she?”
“Mage Saxeus will explain it to you.”
So the trouble involved Gwenyth. I’d no other choice but to follow after the guard, taking quick steps to keep up with his long legs. We went down the hallway, past the main stairway, and to a room only four doors away. Close enough to the stairs that it belonged to someone important.
The guard rapped on the door. “Lady Marcella to see you.”
“Enter,” a stern voice replied. An unhappy voice.
The guard opened the door wide and waited for me to go inside.
I straightened my shoulders and sashayed into the room. Mage Saxeus sat at his desk, writing some sort of letter. He wore red silk robes rimmed in black brocade that proclaimed his status. He had a neatly trimmed beard, small eyes, and overall, a pinched look to him as though everything displeased him.
The guard followed me inside and shut the door. Mage Saxeus set his quill back into the ink pot and turned in his chair to give me his full attention. “Thatis how one properly enters a wizard’s room. One waits to be invited in. To do otherwise is foolish.”
Did he know I’d been in Telarian’s and Sciatheric’s rooms? I tilted my head and blinked, showing no recognition of what his words might mean. “As you say, sir.” I forced a smile. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
He stood and stalked toward me, folding his arms haughtily. “No, we’ve not. Although I’ve had the displeasure of meeting your lady’s maid.” His eyes were narrow and full of suspicion. “What did she mean by coming into my room?”
I didn’t have to hide my surprise. Gwenyth wasn’t supposed to go into his room, only find out where it was located. I’d told her about the traps set in the other wizard’s rooms. Granted, Mage Saxeus was a guest here so one wouldn’t expect him to endanger the lives of the servants with snares, but still, she should’ve known better.
“Surely, you’re mistaken, sir. What would my maid be doing in your quarters?”
He gave me an exasperated huff. “That is precisely what I’m asking you. She was either acting on your orders or she was breaking castle law by entering my chamber.”
My gaze circled the room. “Where is she? I’ll question her.”