Chapter 23
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Elowen’s mind whirled, thinking of what the physician had said about Theo’s symptoms not being severe enough for poison, and how it had been too long since ingestion for Theo to still be alive.
Whatever had been in that vial, it wasn’t any kind of poison they knew.
It was something else entirely, something that shouldn’t exist.
“I found a word from the other vial’s label,” Sophia said. “Magic.”
“And this one.” Elowen’s eyes moved quickly through the glossary. “It says it can mean use or requirement, depending on context.” She passed a hand over her eyes. “This is hopeless. Those are two words out of,” she counted, “twelve on that label. We can’t translate it with the tools we have.”
Sophia took a moment to answer, her gaze thoughtful as it passed between her note and the glossary.
“We can’t make out every word,” she acknowledged.
“But I think it’s enough to give a sense.
The empty vial must have been some kind of poison, how else can you describe a substance that brings slow death?
So the logical answer is that the full one is an antidote. ”
Elowen nodded slowly, remembering what Bertrand had said. She’d suspected him of trying to twist her into some kind of bargain. And that made more sense if he had something to bargain with. He’d just needed to interrogate Simeon, who he thought knew where the vials were.
“And it seems the antidote either uses magic, or requires magic,” Sophia said. “At least, that’s my best guess based on the words we can find.”
“So just drinking it might not be enough,” Elowen said, aghast. “I suppose that answers my question.”
Her friend looked up at her bitter tone. “What question?”
“Whether I should just abandon caution and ride after Theo on the fastest horse I can find, and make him drink the contents of the second vial.”
Sophia said nothing as she closed the book and returned it to its place. With a word of thanks to the record-keeper, the two of them walked from the library, stopping at the nearest alcove big enough for them both to step into.
“That’s exactly what you should do,” Sophia said, speaking as if there’d been no interruption to their conversation. “But you need to take more than just the vial. You need to take someone skilled in magic. Someone you trust.”
Understanding passed between them.
“But he won’t know what to do,” said Elowen in a murmur. “He can’t read this any more than we can.”
“But it came with instructions, remember? They weren’t in a different language. Just technical magical terms. Maybe they’ll make sense to him.”
Elowen thought it over.
“How did you say you got into the dungeons, Sophia?”
Her friend grimaced. “I used magic. To knock out the guard on duty.”
Elowen’s eyes widened. “That’s a serious offense.”
“I know it is,” Sophia acknowledged. “But as I think you understand, when the life of the man you love is in danger, there’s a lot you suddenly find courage to do that might have seemed impossible before.”
Elowen searched her face, startled by the frank words. Her heart ached for her friend, because knowing the duke’s family well, she didn’t see much hope in that direction, even if Simeon’s name was cleared. But this wasn’t the time.
“It’s also difficult magic,” she said. “Especially since you seem to have done it in such a way that the guard didn’t realize he’d been hit. At least I assume so, since no alarm was raised.”
Sophia nodded. “He would have woken and thought he’d dozed for a moment. As for how I got away with it, it helps that no one would imagine I was capable of anything like it.”
“I didn’t imagine it,” Elowen confessed. “How exactly did you do it?”
“I used a repetitive, swinging motion,” Sophia said matter-of-factly. “A large pendulum, that I took from the grandfather clock at the manor.”
“That’s why the parlor felt so silent!” Elowen exclaimed. “Never mind,” she added quickly, in response to Sophia’s perplexed look. “Go on.”
“Well, the type of motion matters, doesn’t it?
The swinging of a pendulum is steady and rhythmic, and it lulls people, makes us think of sleep.
It was the perfect type of movement to use to fuel a sleeping enchantment.
I first asked to see Simeon, knowing I’d be refused, but needing a legitimate reason for my presence there if it raised questions later.
Then, when I was leaving, I stood on the stairs leading down to the dungeons, out of sight of both the corridor above and the guard’s position below, and swung the pendulum back and forth until I’d gathered enough Dust to give me a few minutes of unconsciousness from the guard. ”
Elowen hardly knew what to say. “That’s…impressive,” she said. “And a little scary.”
Sophia lowered her gaze. “There’s so much I haven’t told you, Elowen.
The lessons you and I did with Simeon were only the start.
There were many other times, just him and me…
” She drew a shuddering breath. “At least, until your betrothal was announced, and Bertrand became much more controlling of everyone, including me, and impossibly demanding of Simeon. And I was too scared of him finding out what I’d been doing.
” Her expression was determined. “I swear Simeon never overstepped, Elowen. He’s always been so honorable.
We studied alone together, but never once did he…
” She gave a laugh that was more sad than humorous.
“I used to hope he would kiss me. But he never even came close.”
“I don’t doubt either one of you,” Elowen assured her.
“Anyway, I’ve advanced a lot more in magic craft than you know,” Sophia said.
“Simeon says I have a real aptitude, although of course I know it’s nothing to his.
” Her eyes were troubled as they met Elowen’s.
“He’s incredible, Elowen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was capable of the things he’s been accused of, in terms of magical power. But he would simply never do it.”
“I know he wouldn’t,” Elowen said firmly. “We both know he doesn’t belong in the dungeon. The question is, can you get him out?”
“Maybe.” Sophia sounded nervous. “I assume you already know that the cells are reinforced with enchantments that prevent occupants from harnessing magic while inside. And the walls of the cells have extra layers of protection to stop them being broken open with magic. But the guard had keys. If I could buy a few minutes again, get hold of the keys, and just let Simeon out through the door…” She shrugged.
“If Simeon got clear of the reinforced cell, I doubt he’d have any trouble getting us out of the dungeons. ”
“We won’t delay,” Elowen said, jittery nerves filling her as she made up her mind. “You go and get Simeon, I’ll get three horses. Theo’s carriage was moving slowly. We’ll be able to catch him before dark if we ride hard.”
She half expected her friend to protest, but Sophia hadn’t been exaggerating about finding her courage. The prospect of freeing Simeon had clearly galvanized her.
“You’d better take the vials just in case,” she said practically, handing the bag over. “If I get caught in the dungeons, they might be confiscated.”
Elowen took them, feeling like she was sending her friend to the gallows. “Be careful,” she said anxiously.
After a moment’s debate, they set their meeting point, just outside the castle wall on a road that acted as a thoroughfare to the eastern region of Torrens. It was sure to be crowded enough that they wouldn’t stand out.
“We need to be clear of the capital before Simeon’s absence is discovered,” she said. “Or we won’t have a hope of getting out.”
They parted ways, and Elowen wasted no time in going to the stables.
Having Ochre and two other horses saddled for her was no trouble.
It wasn’t unusual for her to ride through the city with friends.
Finding a way to leave with all three horses and no human companions was harder.
But she managed it by playing two grooms off each other so that each thought the other was accompanying her to assist with the horses.
She could have used the help, she thought wryly.
The castle horses were very well trained, but even so it was no easy feat to lead three at once.
Nevertheless, she made it to the meeting point by the arranged time.
She stood beside Ochre, the hood of the traveling cloak she’d donned pulled low as she tried to shield herself from view with the mare’s flank.
The capital wasn’t in a state of alert, and she didn’t expect all travelers leaving the city to be closely inspected.
But there was still a significant risk of the guards on duty noticing her, and if she was recognized as the princess, it would be the end of her adventure.
She had no warning of Simeon and Sophia’s approach. One moment she was waiting nervously, the next they were at her side.
“How did you do that?” Elowen demanded.
“Simeon’s been cloaking our movements,” Sophia said matter-of-factly. “It’s very clever. He uses the movement of each step to deaden the sound of the next one. It’s fiddly and difficult, and only a few—”
“All right, you can sing his praises later,” Elowen said, her nerves raw from the tension. She looked at the servant. “Are you all right, Simeon?”
His brow was heavy, and Sophia interjected quickly.
“There was no time to explain anything to him, I just told him we were going to save Prince Theodore’s life and he had to trust me.”
“Your Highness, you should never have taken this risk for me.” Simeon’s voice was low and urgent, and his gaze encompassed Sophia, too. “Neither of you should have. I can’t in good conscience agree to such a reckless plan, not for my sake.”
“Then you have no need to worry, because it’s not for your sake,” Elowen said briskly. “Sophia was telling you the truth, we broke you out to save Prince Theodore’s life, and I won’t take no for an answer. We can explain once we’re out of the city.”