Read Online The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy - Free Book Online Page B

you.”
    â€œThese are easy, and convenient, words to say.” Harlan considered. “Show me you mean to work together with us.”
    Kral thought a moment. “Illyria’s presence here could have had something to do with a man who calls himself a High Priest of the Twelve Kingdoms, who has been consorting with the temple.”
    I gasped and Harlan sat upright at that. “What do you say?”
    â€œI know primarily from gossip. It’s unusual for a man to both wear pink—I saw those pink-garbed priests in your court—and be foreign. But it is a connection. I’m willing to trade information and assistance in return for being allowed to take my men home. Along with an explanation for the attack on Nahanau and restitution for the damage King Nakoa KauPo and his people suffered.”
    Ursula had been patient with Harlan falling into conversation with his brother and translating only intermittently. She trusted both of us to fill her in completely later—or trusted her ability to badger us into doing so. But she had caught our alarm and surprise and spoke up sharply. “Translate.”
    â€œKral says that, if I’m not mistaken, Queen Amelia’s missing High Priest may have found his way to Dasnaria and is in the company of the Temple of Deyrr.”
    Anger flared in her gaze and she just stopped herself from putting a hand to her sword. “Then he’s a traitor. Don’t translate that.”
    â€œKral is offering the information as a token of goodwill. He knows we have him trapped and he . . . wishes to make amends with me for past offenses.” Harlan explained the terms and Ursula thought about it while I took out a blank parchment, anticipating the agreement to be drawn up.
    â€œDo you trust him?”
    â€œI don’t distrust him.” Harlan looked long at her, as if seeking some kind of anchor. “I think you have nothing to lose. The restitution he asks is something your honor and sense of responsibility would compel you to do regardless, especially as these people fall within your realm. You will have to address the issue of any other ships trapped within the barrier, so you’ll have to set policy on that. I advise downplaying the accidental nature of the incident and simply offer assistance in helping them return home.”
    â€œIf Andi can even do it.”
    â€œSomething we’ll need to know,” I pointed out. “We’re facing the same situation Salena and the Tala did if we’re trapped within our own magical barrier, except over a bigger area and hopefully with more time.” Zynda and I had debated this during my time in Annfwn. An argument she’d made had stuck with me, an uneasy thought. What if magic is more like fire and the more fuel it has, the hotter it burns?
    â€œWhat about this treasure he thinks we tried to take, the gold?”
    Kral smiled easily when Harlan asked. “The Nahanau islands are rich in many ways. Why else attack? Be warned, however, King Nakoa KauPo is most obstinate. He will not see his islands assimilated into another realm easily. Dasnaria has been trying for years.”
    Harlan studied his brother. “Why not simply take a force and conquer?”
    â€œFar more easily said than done. Your queen will want to send an ambassador to negotiate. Someone nonthreatening.” His gaze lingered on me a moment before he pulled it away. “Do we have a deal or not?” He was evading, but Harlan let it go and I agreed with his choice. It likely didn’t matter.
    Harlan summarized the last for Ursula, who nodded crisply and held out a hand to Kral. “Let’s hammer out the agreement, then.”
    She surprised him only for a moment; then Kral clasped hers in return, flashing a glance at Harlan. “She has sword calluses.”
    Harlan grinned, looking pleased for the first time since Kral’s arrival. “I know. A large factor in her seducing me and