Page 38 of Foundling

“But where is your retinue?” asked Narinda, peering over Leita’s shoulder. “Surely you didn’t come alone?”

“I did. I’m accustomed to…traveling light.”

Glenys and Narinda shared a look before he patted Leita’s hand again. “No matter, no matter. More carrots for your dread-mare, then.”

Just point me in the right direction, hooted Thalia.

“She’ll be pleased, thank you,” said Leita instead.

Glenys nodded amiably. “I’d be honored to give you a tour of our beautiful town, Your Highness. We’ve prepared the best rooms for you, and the children have organized a—”

“Before you do, perhaps Her Highness is thirsty? From her journey?” suggested Narinda.

“Oh, oh, yes! Quite right, yes, this way, my Queen.”

Narinda winked as Leita passed her, tugged along merrily by Glenys.

Have fun, Thalia snickered.

Wait, don’t leave me—

Glenys marched them through the door he’d just come out of, through a foyer and what looked like a parlor, to the back of the first floor into a chaotic office. An enormous desk was almost lost beneath hills of ledgers, books, and parchment, all topped by inkwells, rags, and paperweights. Shelves lined most of the walls, stuffed full of tomes. Some attempt had been made to organize it all, but with the many books half-pulled out, ribbon place-markers dangling, it seemed fruitless.

“I think Queen Leita will be more comfortable in the parlor, my love,” Narinda chided gently.

“Yes, of course, but first I…let me just…yes, here’s the blasted thing.” Lifting a smooth crystal from one of the many open drawers of the desk, Glenys held it up to the light before wrapping both palms around it. Leita immediately recognized it as a spelled crystal, one used for sending simple messages. She had her own to use but had let them migrate to the bottom of her pack days ago. “Chancellor Charis asked that I send word when you arrived safely. I’m sure they worry for you back in Fallorian.”

Leita opened her mouth to stop Glenys, but before she could, the crystal began to glow with his magic.

Well, no use now. Charis knew where she was and how to find her.

Not that that was a bad thing, she had to remind herself.

It was just…Leita didn’t quite want to be found yet. Not before she figured out several of her new complications.

With the response sent, Leita was ushered back one threshold to the much neater parlor. Installed in one of the deep, plush sedans, Leita was quickly handed a goblet of cider and told to make herself comfortable.

Instead, she sat on the edge of the cushion, not wanting to dirty Narinda’s fine seating arrangement.

This space was clearly Narinda’s, all soft greens and gold tassels. A few books sat on a low table, one open with its place-marker nestled in the crease. With a wave, Narinda lit the candles and sconces, adding a bit more light to the already bright room.

“There now,” said the mistress of the house. “Let us speak, then, while your rooms are made ready.”

“Oh, please don’t trouble yourself. I won’t be staying.”

The mayoral couple looked at her owlishly, as though she’d started squawking like a harpy.

“The chancellor sent a message ahead that you wished to inspect several of the towns here in the east,” said Glenys. “Is that not so anymore?”

“No, I do, I just…” She needed both hands to hold her goblet steady and so couldn’t pick at her own cuticles. “I don’t want to impose.”

“You are the Queen,” said Narinda. “We’d be honored for you to impose.”

“Yes, well…” Leita took a sip of cider to buy herself time. “I’m used to the outdoors, is all. And I want to continue to ensure any lingering hotspots have been snuffed.”

The mention of the wildfire seemed the right topic to distract the couple. Even Glenys became grave as the two informed her of how they’d witnessed the fire start some eight days before. Narinda spoke of how strange it was to see a fire grow so large so quickly, and Glenys talked of how the winds kept the fire near the border.

“Has anything else strange happened?” Leita asked.