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When Jemel collects them up, one-handed, his other arm still healing, Damon says to him, “Will you go to Pluma with Xan?”
Jemel smiles a little wistfully at mention of Xan. Damon understands what that smile means. “In time, I would like to. For a while I plan to stay at court with Umbert and Ferra. I have been asked to serve as his Chancellor, but we will see.”
“Perhaps you need to live for your own interests for a time.”
“Perhaps I do.”
55
KERIK
Kerik watches Umbert’s anointing as Emperor, taking notes. He will have his own ceremony in Naranda. His mother is there, watching alongside the widowed Princesses Karo and Ullinor.
Ullinor wears black and ashes, still mourning her son.
After the ceremony, as the guests are leaving, Kerik leans close to Perl. “How about I use your Silence for Secrets spell and then take you up on the dais. I could sit on the throne and have you kneel and suck me.”
Perl shudders, face flushing. But he says, “There is not enough magic here for such a thing.”
“You are no fun at all, faerie. It is lucky I can command you.”
“Command me all you wish, but you do not have the power here to do that.”
Kerik pouts at Perl.
“And you will find,” Perl continues, “that you will not have much power in Fanost either.” He leans closer and kisses Kerik on the nose. “Your dreams of being a Wizard King may be tricky to enact.”
Kerik makes a scoffing noise. He had forgotten about his old plans to become a fearsome ruler using magic, but he decides to tease Perl further, sliding his arms around his faerie’s waist and saying, “Then we should return to Vylenor.”
“I think not. I would surely be killed,” Perl says, although he grins as if this bothers him not at all.
“You will never return. You will live as a mortal?”
“I will. Some fae do. They are known as the Lost Fae. The ones who walk away and never return.”
“So you will stay here with me. Then one day I will be an old man and you will still be the same.”
Perl’s smile is still broad. “Perhaps. But I am half mortal and there are tales that tell of Lost fae becoming more mortal in time. Or there may be ways to extend your life. You are the Magician and the magic my father used may be somewhere in that vast library your brother is cataloguing. But before we consider such, let us travel to your land of Fanost. You need to see it, after all.”
Kerik’s eyebrows shoot up. “I have been to Lunatum.”
Perl simply laughs. He looks quite different, as if his whole being has changed now he is free of the weight it has carried since Kerik met him.
“But first,” Kerik says, “You need to rest. You deserve it. And if you will not agree to do so. I will command you.”
56
TOBI
Some days after Emperor Umbert’s Ascension, Tobi and Harok leave for the Amber Forest with a great train of horses and carts of treasures, gifts from Emperor Umbert.
Tobi rides with Harok, just as he did before. The Shard still resides within him, as far as either of them know, but has been silent since Jemel killed the demon.
They stop in Ceruleum to collect Mareena. When they reach Riddlestone, Tobi says goodbye to his friends from Copperhead Circus after spending a night with Harok on their campground, even showing Harok his old caravan, and packing up all the belongings he had to leave behind when Harok took him.
Mareena travels to Urynwud with them. She plans to stay for some time and Tobi is doing his best to teach her a little Ambolk before they arrive. She has said that she thinks she would like to return to Archillia in time.
Harok says that when she does they will go with her. Tobi has never seen Archillia and Harok promises to show him the whole world.
