“But for thirty years,” the bardling continued, “those different races have managed to live in peace. And why is that? Because King Amber has been such a just, impartial ruler.”
This time it was Lydia who nodded—
“Well, Carlotta doesn’t like that!” Kevin said. “The more popular a ruler her brother becomes, the more difficult it’s going to be for her to replace him. She tried to kill him once before. We all know that. We also know how she failed. But Carlotta has had thirty years to think things over. I guess she’s decided to be more devious.”
The bardling paused to catch his breath, glancing at the others. They were watching him quite seriously; even Tich’ki showed no sign other usual mockery.
“Carlotta has to know exactly how things stand between the races,” Kevin continued. “What better way for her to destroy King Amber’s reign than to use a kidnapping to stir up all that latent hatred? Once the land is torn by strife, what better way for her to seize control?”
“Could be,” Tich’ki muttered.
“Not ‘could be,’ “ Kevin corrected. “Will be, if we don’t do something to stop her.”
“Why us?” Lydia asked.
Why, indeed? He couldn’t blame the woman—who, after all was a mercenary, not a subject of the king for asking. But before Kevin could find a good argument, Naitachal said thoughtfully, “I believe I can guess why Carlotta would choose Count Volmar’s niece to kidnap. His father was a true diplomat”
“He was,” Eliathanis agreed. “Someone who tried his best to reconcile grievances among the races.”
“But Count Volmar,” the Dark Elf continued, “is ... shall we say, a bit less friendly towards both our races.”
The White Elf nodded wryly.
“That’s just it!” Kevin exclaimed. “Carlotta knows about him, she must! That’s why she kidnapped Charina, and that’s why she made it look as if elves were to blame. Ha, yes, and she probably plans to plant hints in the count’s ear—you know, that his handpicked team isn’t having any success because the elves in the party are deliberately hindering the hunt, because they don’t really want to find Charina!”
‘‘Yes,” Lydia agreed. “But you’re still not giving me a good reason to risk my neck. These aren’t my people or my land, after all.”
“No,” Kevin admitted. “But if Carlotta wins here, do you think she’s really going to stop with one realm? She’s a sorceress, Lydia, who can muster the forces of Darkness to her side.”
“But why us, Kevin? How can we possibly make a difference?”
“Ah. Well. Because of the manuscript.” I’m sorry, Master Aidan, but I don’t dare keep it a secret any longer. Hastily, Kevin told the others the reason he’d come to Count Volmar’s castle—and what he’d learned about that manuscript
“You mean Carlotta is part fairy’?” Tich’ki yelped. “Her mother mated with a human’?”
“So it seems.”
“B-but that’s disgusting!”
“Thank you.” Lydia gave the fairy a sarcastic bow. “Kevin, go on. Tell us more about this manuscript.”
“My Master must have realized Carlotta had returned.1’
“Then why didn’t he go straight to the king?”
“He didn’t dare!” Thinking it out as he spoke, Kevin added, “Not while Carlotta had her full powers, anyhow. No, that would be putting King Amber in direct danger. So he sent me after the spell.”
“You being expendable, eh?” Naitachal asked.
“Uh, well, I wouldn’t put it quite that way, but the king’s life is more important.”
“Of course,” Eliathanis agreed, a little more emphatically than Kevin would have liked. “Kevin, what do you
