“Dragon magic?” Kull asked.
“Yes. But that’s odd, because there was only black magic before. Why did it change?”
Maveryck took the stone from me. “It’s my guess that since you failed the last test, she’s given you a new one. You’re sure you’ve never seen this symbol?”
“Yes, I’m sure. When I was solving the last test, I found the clues in her garden, but I don’t think we’ll be able to get into her garden this time.”
“Nor would I want to,” Kull added.
“Me either.”
“Do you think it’s possible to solve?” Heidel asked.
“I don’t know. When she tested me earlier, she seemed so certain I would be able to break the spell. I think she honestly believed I could do it.”
“Then it makes sense why she would be so upset,” Maveryck said. “If she thought you could break the spell, then she believes you purposely tricked her.”
“But I didn’t. I only did what I had to do to save Kull.”
Maveryck placed the stone at the table’s center atop an open book. “Regardless of what happened at her castle, we now have a new mystery to solve. What is this symbol, and how do we use it to free your stepfather?” He looked at the group gathered around the table. “Any suggestions?”
Heidel crossed her arms. “I have a suggestion,” she said. “Why don’t you leave and let us figure this out for ourselves.”
“Leave?” he smirked. “I was staying here for you, Heidel. I am deeply hurt at your suggestion.”
“I hope your suffering won’t last too long,” she said drily.
“It won’t,” he said, “because I’ve decided to stay and help you.”
“Wonderful.”
“I knew you would be happy about my presence here.” He winked.
Were they flirting? Honestly, I’d never pictured those two together. Could it be possible they had a thing?
Kull cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence.
“Perhaps it’s not a magical symbol at all,” Kull said.
“What do you mean?” his mother asked.
“Maybe it’s a symbol of something else—a landmark or something.”
“You’ve got a point,” I said. “For one thing, there really aren’t many written magical symbols.”
“And the ones that are written can vary between practitioners,” Maveryck said.
“If that’s the case, then how will we find its meaning?” Heidel asked.
“We’ll have to think creatively, I suppose. I don’t really have a better answer,” I said.
“Brother,” Heidel said, “we must gather an army and storm her castle. That is the only way to save the sky king.”
“No,” Maveryck said. “Violence is not the solution. If we want to bring the sky king back unharmed, then we will have to play by her rules.”
“But her rules aren’t fair,” Heidel said, a hint of exasperation in her tone.
“They are fair,” Maveryck said, “they just aren’t logical.” He picked up the box. “You know,” he said, turning to one of the books. “The symbol does remind me of something I’ve seen before.” He flipped through the pages until he stopped and pointed to a picture. Looking closely, I found the picture of a bright turquoise egg with veins of gold sparkling through its shell.
“A dragon egg?” I asked.
“Yes. It’s rumored that Silvestra had an egg stolen from her, but that was a long time ago.”
“A dragon’s egg?” Kull said. “You might be on to something.”
“Yes,” I said. “I could try to open it with dragon magic.”
“Do you feel well enough to use your powers?” Kull asked.
“It’s a simple spell. I’ll be okay.”
I focused on my magic, breathing deeply, and let it flow naturally to the surface. When I felt ready, I whispered the spell to call dragon magic. It flowed in a silvery-green glow from my fingertips into the symbol on the box, but the magic disappeared as it touched the stone.
When the magic left me, dizziness clouded my vision, and I focused on taking deep breaths just to stay conscious. Kull knelt by my side and took my hand.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I will be. Give me minute.”
“I think that’s enough magic for one day,” Kull said.
“I agree,” the queen answered. “Obviously, we’re getting nowhere. Kull, perhaps it is best to do what your sister suggested. I will sanction a small squadron of men to infiltrate the witch’s castle and free the sky king. It’s imperative that we get him back before the elves learn what happened. They are already trying to rule the whole of Faythander as it is, and without the sky king in their way, they’ll sack every nation not willing to bend to their laws. We must get him back. We do not have time for mysteries and riddles.”
“Mother,” Kull said, “I do not disagree, but I’m afraid infiltrating her castle would be a huge mistake. She would find us and either kill us or make us her wraiths. Even with my best men, it is not a mission we could accomplish. If we are to free the sky king, our safest bet is to learn the true meaning of this stone’s symbol.”
“But how?” the queen asked. “How much longer must we try until the witch grows impatient and does something drastic? Like kill the sky king?”
“We may be closer than you realize, Your Majesty,” Maveryck said. “We know the stone is powered with dragon magic, meaning the spell must have some connection to dragons. From what I can tell, the symbol most likely represents a dragon’s egg. Furthermore, I’ve done quite a bit of research on dragon eggs as they are quite valuable in Faythander’s black markets. I have a contact in the Godiaz Desert who is an expert on dragons and their eggs. If we want to know the meaning of this symbol, it is my belief we should seek him out.”
The queen was silent for a moment, but then nodded. “Very well. I’m glad someone has come up with a viable solution. You must make haste to the desert. Kull, I’d like you to lead this expedition. It will give you an excuse to leave the keep.”
“Why would I need an excuse to leave the
