The Lost Crown

In The Citadel

Walliam was filled with mixed emotions as he took the long walk back across the city to the academy.  It was late in the day when he got back.  He walked up the stairs of the Archon with a heavy heart.  Master Trumble had seen him with Soronia.  He was sure he would hear some kind of lecture from that.

He went to the dormitory and found the common room full and noisy.  When he walked in the hubbub died off instantly.  Chase looked at him with a mixture of admiration and disdain.  Warren raised his mug and looked at Walliam.  “Here’s to the brilliant career of Walliam Mavery.  Well done, Wally.  Did you slay the jackallara?  Did you save the Princess?”

Walliam felt his stomach sink.  They knew.

“Here you are,” Dandrealla’s voice said from behind.  Walliam turned and saw the Magian standing regally in a dark green robe.  Her hair was piled up on her head in an elaborate design of braids and curls.  She had a large gem set in the center of her hair and it glittered and spangled in the light.  “Will you come with me, Walliam?”

As soon as they were outside the dormitory Dandrealla stopped and drew a doorway.  She pulled it open and motioned Walliam to step through.  He did, and came out in the Magian’s chamber, high up in the Archon.  Dandrealla followed him through and then released the doorway which fell shut and disappeared.

“Have a seat,” she said.  He sat down on the chair by her small table, and she took the lounge on the opposite side.  She poured them both cups of wine.  “You’ve had quite an adventure,” she said.  “You and the Crown Princess and the jackallara.”

Walliam felt his face heat up.  “I was just sightseeing,” he said.  “Soronia -- Lady Soronia asked me if I wanted to go with her, mistress.  I did not seek her out.”

“But you did go with her,” Dandrealla said.  “And the beast got loose.  Can you imagine what would have happened if the Crown Princess had been hurt?  What do you think would have happened to you then?”

Walliam felt the noose tightening around his neck.  “Am I in trouble, mistress?” he asked.

Dandrealla laughed softly.  “I think the thing that puts you in the most trouble, young man, is the fact that you are a fool.  You were told to leave the nobles alone.  You have had no training in diplomacy or Philosophy so what could you possibly be doing with the future Queen?  What was your intent?”

He shrugged his shoulders.  “I had no intent other than seeing the beast that the Prince brought back from the Waste.  And that was her idea, not mine, mistress.  Really, I have a written invitation from her.”

She scowled at him.  “A fool, Walliam Mavery.  A fool who doesn’t listen.  From this moment forward you are forbidden to go anywhere near Lady Soronia Wilding.  If you receive any more invitations you are to bring them immediately to me.  Under no condition are you to go near the royal palace unless you are accompanied by a Magian.  In fact, you are not to leave the academy grounds unless a Magian is with you.  Do you understand?”

He looked into the woman’s eyes and saw the seriousness there and he swallowed and nodded agreement.

“I have to tell you, Walliam, it doesn’t look good for you,” she said in a quiet voice.  “Swyvern has been pushing for us to get rid of you almost since you arrived.  Planchiko was your defender, but he is off on a mission for the academy and won’t be back for at least a month.  I fear you will be expelled before he returns.  We are trying to argue for you to remain, but after today’s incident I don’t know if there is any way to convince the High Council to let you stay.  If I were you I would be on my best behavior.”

There was a knock on the door and it opened a crack.  Walliam saw master Olivier’s head poke through the door.  He looked only at Dandrealla, and not at Walliam.  “Sister, there is a council session about to begin in the citadel.  You are needed there.”