The gossip will carry to Attolian spies, who will report to Relius, Attolia's master of spies, and he will carry the news to her." "Her secretary of the archives," murmured the magus. "Hmm?" asked the queen. "Secretary of the archives, Relius. Master of spies is so-" "Accurate?" "Overtly direct," said the magus. Eddis laughed.
Megan Whalen TurnerIt isn't an easy thing to give your loyalty to someone you don't know, especially when that person chooses to reveal nothing of himself.
Megan Whalen TurnerThat one,"-he nodded toward the closed door-" will rule more than just Attolia before he is done. He is an Annux, a king of kings.
Megan Whalen TurnerShe reached out and touched the kingโs face, cupping his cheek in her hand. โJust a nightmare,โ he said, his voice still rough. The queenโs voice was cool. โHow embarrassing,โ she said, looking at his maimed arm. The king looked up then, and followed her gaze. If it was embarrassing to wake like a child screaming from a nightmare, how much more embarrassing to be the reason your husband woke screaming. A quick smile visited the kingโs face. โOuch,โ he said, referring to more than the pain in his side. โOuch,โ he said again as the queen gathered him into her arms.
Megan Whalen TurnerIn the afternoon, the king and queen sat to hear the business of their kingdom. At least, the queen sat to hear the business; Costis was still not sure what the king was doing.
Megan Whalen TurnerShe met the magus's stunned look with a smile. "The Thieves of Eddis have always been uncomfortable allies to the throne, Magus. There is the niggling fear that if you fall out with a Thief, he might see it as his right and responsibility to remove you. There are some checks, of course. There is only ever one Thief. They are prohibited from owning any property. Their training inevitably generates the isolation that makes them independent, but also keeps them from forming alliances that might become threats to the throne. It is not the folly you might think.
Megan Whalen Turner