because his boots had been dirty. Had Shawna been able to catch up with him, Shailiha was sure that Shannon would have ended up with a massive goose egg.
Knowing how much Morganna enjoyed the fliers, Shailiha ordered Caprice to flutter about the toddler’s head. Stretching forth her arms, the child beamed. Taking care not to be injured, the yellow-and-violet flier hovered teasingly just beyond reach.
Shailiha and Wigg saw Mallory approach. The Fledgling bowed.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness and First Wizard,” she said. “Thank you for honoring my decision.”
Smiling at the Fledgling, Shailiha shifted Morganna’s weight in her arms. “You’re welcome,” she answered. “But we have some things we want to discuss first.” She reluctantly handed Morganna over to Shawna, then looked back at Mallory.
“Shall we go?” she asked. Mallory nodded eagerly. Shailiha looked at Shawna. “I will order Caprice to stay here with the children,” she said.
Shawna nodded. Grasping one of Morganna’s pudgy arms, she used it to wave good-bye.
The trio left the nursery and walked down the hall. Because Wigg knew far more about the captured consuls than she, Shailiha decided to let him do the talking. She gave the First Wizard a nod. Trying to decide where to start, Wigg cleared his throat.
In a compassionate voice, Wigg asked, “Tell me, Mallory, how long has it been since you’ve seen Nathan?”
“About a year and a half,” Mallory answered. “He used to pay me regular visits at Fledgling House, then he simply stopped coming. I was terribly worried. Soon we girls realized that none of our fathers were visiting. When we asked Master Duncan why, he said he had no idea. He was clearly worried by it. But I’ve learned here that the consuls were taken away by Nicholas and turned to the Vagaries.”
“That’s right,” Wigg said. Continuing on, the First Wizard clasped his hands behind his back. “Please refresh an old wizard’s memory,” he said. “Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“I am an only child.”
“Ah, yes,” Wigg replied. “And where is your mother?”
“She died during my birth,” Mallory answered.
Shailiha reached over to touch Mallory’s hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know what it means to lose one’s mother.”
“It’s all right,” Mallory said. “Since I was five, Martha has been my mother. The royal palace is much like Fledgling House, only bigger. We Fledglings already feel at home here-especially with Martha nearby.”
“I want to caution you,” Wigg said. “When you see your father, he will not be like you remember. I want you to stand in the hall while the princess and I go in. If I think it’s all right, I’ll let you join us. But under no circumstances are you to enter without my permission, or let him embrace you. If I order you to leave the room, I want you to do so immediately. Is that clear?”
“Yes, First Wizard. What if he tries to use the craft against us? Should I be prepared for that?”
“No,” Wigg answered. “His gifts have been neutralized. With me in the room he cannot harm us, and he knows it.”
“How is that possible?” Mallory asked.
“He has been granted an enchantment of selective forgetfulness,” Wigg said. “All his memories regarding craft use have been wiped clean. It’s a painless process, I assure you. He remembers everything, save for spells and formulas.”
On rounding the next corner they came to two Minion warriors guarding a door. The warriors snapped to attention.
“Has everything been quiet?” Wigg asked.
“Yes, First Wizard,” a Minion answered. He smiled. “Save for some loud cursing from the door’s other side, that is.”
“I’m not surprised,” Wigg said. “He’s highly willful.”
Looking at the lock, Wigg called the craft. The centuries-old tumblers turned over once, then twice more. Pointing to Mallory, Wigg looked at the Minions.
“Guard this Fledgling,” he ordered. “I will call for her when the time is right.” Each warrior clicked his heels. Wigg pushed open the door and walked in. Shailiha followed.
Nathan’s quarters were modest. There was a bedroom, a sitting room with a fireplace, a washroom, but no windows. Nathan sat before the fire. Putting down the book he had been reading, he rose and walked nearer. Shailiha heard the door close behind them and the tumblers turn over again.
Nathan was tall, handsome, and well built. At forty-three Seasons of New Life, his hair was already a flattering salt-and-pepper affair. He wore a neatly trimmed mustache, and an inverted, whiskered triangle adorned his lower lip’s underside. His dark blue robe hung loosely on his frame. The consul’s eyes were light blue, his jaw firm. Vertical smile lines lay deeply embedded in his cheeks.
Although he could not employ the craft, Nathan was clearly not intimidated by his august visitors. Shailiha guessed that he had been a powerful consul, and she easily recognized some of Nathan’s qualities in his daughter. Shailiha had to admit that had Nathan not been a Vagaries servant, she might have found herself attracted to him. Nathan calmly looked Wigg up and down, then did the same to Shailiha. As his eyes met hers, the princess couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Good afternoon, First Wizard, ” Nathan said. “Or whatever it is you’re calling yourself these days.” His voice was smoky, controlled. He looked at Shailiha again.
“And the princess herself has also deigned to visit,” he added sarcastically. “Normally I would offer you some wine. But as you can see, I’m fresh out.”
“Sit down,” Wigg ordered.
Walking into the sitting room, Nathan took a seat before the fire. Wigg and Shailiha chose two upholstered reading chairs and sat down across from him. Looking into Wigg’s eyes, Nathan came right to the point.
“You have no idea about what to do with me, do you?” he asked bluntly, “or my brothers whom you have also imprisoned in this monstrous Redoubt? Stripped of our abilities to use the craft, we were once among your closest allies. Then we were brought to the light by theJin’Sai ’s firstborn son-the most perfect being the world has ever seen. How ironic! Admit it, First Wizard-you and your Conclave are stymied. Your ludicrous morals forbid killing us, and you don’t know how to turn us back to your insipid Vigors.”
Leaning across the table, Nathan glared into Wigg’s eyes. “Tell me,” he whispered ominously. “How many consuls do you keep prisoner here? Enough so that if we found our way to freedom, we might cause you trouble again? What a delicious thought!”
“You’re right in a way,” Wigg answered. “We have come to discuss your future. But there are things that you do not know.”
“Such as…?” Nathan asked.
“We have recently attained several advancements in the craft. We might soon be able to return you and your brothers to the Vigors after all. You were once a powerful, compassionate consul-one of the best I ever saw. You were a good father, too.” Pausing, Wigg purposely let the reference to Mallory build tension.
For a moment, a distinct sadness came over the consul. Then his smug demeanor returned. He sat back in his chair.
“Ah, but I’m not alone in that interminable sorrow, am I, Wigg?” he countered. “I always loved Mallory! Nicholas might have taken my daughter, but at least her death served a purpose. Rumor has it that theJin’Sai killed your whore daughter, simply by sleeping with her. I hear that Celeste’s death was slow and painful. How sad that must have been for you! Had Failee been alive she would have been intelligent enough to keep that from happening! Better alive with Failee than dead in your uncaring arms, eh, First Wizard?”
Even Wigg hadn’t been prepared for such a highly personal insult. Shailiha watched the rage build in his face, then subside as he fought it down.
“I haven’t come here to discuss my personal life,” Wigg replied. “Rather, I wish to discuss yours.”
Nathan narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
Wigg walked to the door. Calling the craft, he unlocked it, then walked out. Muffled voices could be heard coming from the hallway. Wigg soon walked back to sit at the table. Saying nothing, he stared hard at Nathan.
