“If we are not mistaken,” Miss Bunch said, “that ring is one such object. If the wearer should own it for the sake of owning it, the consequences could be terrible. But if the wearer accepts the responsibility for whatever the object may represent, then the outcome may prove more beneficent.”

“It isn’t…just a ring?” Amberhill asked, already knowing the answer.

“Young man,” Miss Bay said, “that ruby is a heartstone, and only the most powerful of old owned them. Before the Black Ages, mind. Before Mornhavon. Long ago when the Sea Kings roamed the oceans and all the lands owed them allegiance, except those of the Eletians, of course.”

“Their symbol,” Miss Bunch said, “was the dragon. It is believed that such creatures once inhabited the Earth and filled the skies with their wings, and that only the Sea Kings were able to dominate or destroy them.”

Amberhill had seen some strange things on his journey, not the least of which were the pirates. But dragons? Surely they belonged to the realm of fairy tale only. He pressed his thumb against the contours of the gold dragon, trying to imagine the ring as something fashioned and worn by ancients. It was not easy to comprehend.

“If you are honorable, and accept the responsibility of owning a heartstone,” Miss Bunch said, “all should be well.”

Miss Bay nodded her agreement.

Amberhill did not think Willis had heard a bit of the discussion, for he looked uncharacteristically befuddled and still muttered about pirates.

“Now that you’ve no home,” Amberhill said, “and the winter is coming on, where will you go?”

“We’ve a cousin in the south,” Miss Bay said. “We shall bide our time with her till other arrangements can be made.”

Miss Bunch rolled her eyes. “And I say we should go to Rhovanny.”

“Now don’t you start—”

“But you don’t like Miss Poppy any better than I. She’s a witch!”

“Don’t you mean she’s a—”

“Bay! Don’t you dare say it. You’ll make Mother turn in her grave.”

Miss Bay chortled.

“In any case,” her sister said, “it’s only until the house mends itself.”

“That’ll be forever.”

“Oh, stop.”

Amberhill excused himself and left the ladies to their quarrel. He retrieved his gear and set up his bedroll and sat upon it for some time, gazing into the dark away from the camp. The words of the sisters disturbed him and he wondered just what the ring tied him into, what responsibility he’d taken on by claiming it.

The Amberhill of old—the one who believed honor abductions a quaint tradition before it nearly cost the country its queen—might have decided to sell the piece for as much currency as he could get, abdicating any responsibility required for owning such an object; but the Amberhill of now, as disturbed by the sisters’ words as he was, was willing to face any challenges the ring presented. He’d be an able guardian of it and would not allow it to fall into the wrong hands if it indeed held some form of power.

Most of all, however, he was simply intrigued by the mystery of it. The ring was beautiful, and ancient, and he just didn’t wish to give it up.

Besides, the sisters could be wrong about it. He wasn’t sure they were altogether sane. He resolved to find out more about the ring, to learn the truth of its origins—once he’d set his estate back in order, of course.

Satisfied by the plan, he rose and headed for the main fire where stew was warming. As he walked he felt a distinct pinch on his right buttock. He jumped several feet and whirled, his hand to the hilt of his rapier, but no one was near, though he swore he heard the faintest of feminine giggles fading away.

He shook his head, then realized several Weapons and Beryl Spencer had observed his odd behavior and watched him in curiosity. In a move he’d learned from cats, he pretended nothing happened and continued on his way with the utmost dignity in his step.

RETURNINGS

By the end of the first month of winter, all who’d been sent out in pursuit of Lady Estora and her captors returned. First came Ty to report the book the king sought had been acquired by Second Empire and that they intended to break into the tombs. His mouth dropped open when the captain told him Karigan had arrived with the news well ahead of him and had helped recapture the book and round up the culprits.

The next to arrive were Willis, his Weapons, Lord Amberhill, and Beryl Spencer. They were less surprised that Karigan had arrived ahead of them, but had been pleased to hear the outcome. Lord Amberhill disappeared after telling his side of events to take care of some business in the city and elsewhere. He gave no details.

King Zachary and Captain Mapstone agreed that Beryl would not return to Mirwell Province anytime soon and they doubted Lord Mirwell would welcome back a known spy. If they had other plans for her abilities, nothing was heard of it, but she exchanged the scarlet of Mirwell for Rider green and resumed swordmaster initiate training with Arms Master Drent.

Shortly afterward, the rest of the Weapons arrived with their prisoners, including Immerez, who still had all five fingers attached to his one hand. That said, no one knew how long he would retain his head once the king was through with him. Some Weapons had gone after Colonel Birch in Mirwellton, but he’d escaped ahead of them, having sensed, or been informed, that the abduction of Lady Estora had failed and Grandmother had departed the Teligmar Hills.

Lord Mirwell had no idea as to where Birch had gone, but stated he was glad to be done with him. King Zachary would investigate Lord Mirwell’s connection to Second Empire further, but it sounded as if the young lord-governor had been an unwilling participant in their schemes.