50

According to Edlyn, in the city’s earliest epoch, back when magic was considered a vital component of everyday life, it was decided that a river flowing through the city’s heart ran the risk of flooding the streets. So the river was diverted underground. It was a feat of engineering skill and magical design, one that required dredging a lake outside the city walls, then burrowing a gigantic tunnel from one side of the city all the way to the sea. The tunnel was designed so as to flow directly beneath the inner keep, granting the palace a constant and unending supply of fresh water.

And then, over time, the tunnel and its history were forgotten by all but a few mages with access to the oldest of scrolls.

Alembord and Edlyn’s plan was devastatingly simple. Block the tunnel. Halt the flow of centuries. Grant Edlyn and Dally and Connell access to the royal treasury from the one direction no one might suspect—underground.

And by flooding the streets, they hoped to create enough havoc to escape.

Edlyn said, “All right, my dear. Time to try the dragon’s first spell.”

“Perhaps you should cast it,” Dally replied.

“Stuff and nonsense. The dragon made them a gift to you personally.”

“Dragon spells,” Connell said. “This conversation is drawn from my earliest legends.”

Dally said, “You heard the dragon same as me.”

“Actually, we only heard what you repeated to us,” Edlyn replied. “And that was intended as backup. We all know of your astonishing abilities with spellcraft.”

“I only know two spells.”

“Three,” Connell said, pointing to the light still streaming from her wand.

“Four. Let’s not forget your recharging of the wand. All of which you performed perfectly.” Edlyn held up her hand. “Listen carefully, my dear. Spell-casting is not merely a repetition of words. You draw the energy into what you speak. You weave the power into your words.”

Dally did not respond.

“I was Mistress of the hidden orb for thirty-two years. In all that time I have never seen an acolyte take to spells so naturally.”

“I really am that, aren’t I? An acolyte.”

“That and far more besides. You are a wizard.” Edlyn smiled in encouragement. “Now cast the first spell.”

Dally found the spellwork to be utterly thrilling. She had asked the dragon for something similar to what their enemy had used upon the forest beasts. The image had come to her in the final series, how the resulting surprise and even fear might well work to their advantage. And keep them alive. Perhaps.

The spell’s words condensed in her mind, in her very bones. Then they extended outward as she spoke. The wand’s gemstone glowed with a blinding flash as she reached over and touched Nabu directly between his trusting golden eyes. It would hurt her the most if she wounded the dog, or if the dragon had been mistaken, or if she cast the spell incorrectly, or if it could not be applied to a wolfhound . . . Any number of things could go terribly wrong. But it would be her dog. She would endure the loss as punishment for her errors. If they survived.

In the end, though, all her concerns were for nothing. She finished the spell and stepped back, amazed by her own handiwork.

Nabu had grown to twice the size of a horse. His fur gleamed a bright blue, like flames seen through ice, save for the streak of white lightning along his spine. What was more, each breath sparked a puff of blue fire.

As she cast her spells over the other three dogs, the distant rumbling gradually became an earthquake. The screams and shouts were so loud now they could be heard echoing up and down the empty tunnel.

Connell surveyed the massive beasts and declared, “The sight gives me hope.”

“It will be a genuine pleasure,” Edlyn said, “to give our enemy a taste of his own medicine.”

“I almost look forward to it,” Connell said.

As though in response to his comment, there was a crashing sound from upstairs, followed by water cascading through the hole. They jumped back as the water fell harder and harder.

Edlyn cried, “Seal the opening!”

Connell was the first to react, creating a temporary block while Edlyn carved out segments of both walls and the floor, fitting the stones into place and melting the edges so that they melded together. Finally she said, “All right, release your spell and let’s see if it holds.”

Here and there the ceiling dripped. Edlyn decided, “Hardly my finest crafting. But it will do. And now we must hurry.”