But only you.”
Ethan bowed once again before leaving the chamber.
“That was very interesting,” Birger said as they exited the manor. “I think you might have even changed a few minds.”
“I wasn’t trying to. I just said what I was feeling.”
“And that’s what did it. My father always said that you can only change a person’s mind if you speak from the heart.”
“Sounds like a smart guy,” said Ethan.
“He was. And very wise.”
“So he’s dead?”
Birger nodded. “For many years now.” He gave Ethan a sideways look. “I’ve been wondering lately if he would have thought I was right to bring you here.”
“And what did you decide? Would he?”
Birger shrugged. “Perhaps. I know what he would say though. He would tell me that if I acted with pure intent, then I should be satisfied with what I have done.” He chuckled softly, a faraway smile on his face. “Of course, then he would tell me that even the well-intended can make foolish decisions. He was always good at confusing me when I asked him for answers. I used to think he did it just to annoy me. But now I understand that he wanted me to work it out for myself. He was wise enough to know that I had the solution within me the entire time. I just needed to realize it.”
Ethan thought of his own father on Earth. He had been kind and gentle…in his own way. What would he say about this? He laughed inwardly. He’d never have believed it. He was far too grounded for the notion of magic, elves, and dwarves. Of course, Ethan had always thought that he had taken after the man in this respect. But now he didn’t even know what his real father was like. The little that Jonas was willing to divulge had left him with an incomplete picture. It was no wonder the circlet had hurt him.
When they arrived at the house there were two guards standing outside, talking casually. Upon seeing Ethan they stepped aside and stood smartly to attention. He glanced at Birger, who only smiled and shook his head.
“What was that about?” Ethan asked, once they were inside.
“You’re staying in the king’s manor,” Birger explained. “And it’s no secret that you are the son of Praxis Dragonvein. Rumors about the prophecy being fulfilled are already spreading.”
“I have a feeling King Halvar isn’t happy about that.”
“I don’t imagine so. But you mustn’t judge him too harshly. If it wasn’t for him, my people would have starved by now. The little Shinzan gives us in trade for weapons and tools isn’t nearly enough. So King Halvar has made deals with human smugglers and merchants to provide us with what we need. And he does this at great risk to himself. If the Empire found out, things would go hard on him.”
“What would they do?”
“Demand that he step down and turn himself over to the Emperor.”
“Would he agree to this?”
“If he didn’t, they would blockade the mountain and cut us off completely until he did. King Halvar would not be able to watch his people starve to death, so refusal wouldn’t be an option for him. He may be flawed and stubborn, but his love for his people is without bounds.”
Ethan could hear the sincerity in Birger’s tone. Even so, what Markus had said to him earlier still resonated. The king was plotting something. And from what Birger just told him, there were no lengths he would not be willing to go to if he thought it would keep his people safe.
The door to Jonas’ room was open. Ethan poked his head in and saw him sitting in his bed, reading. He smiled and put down the book.
“How are you feeling?” Ethan asked.
Jonas sighed. “Like an old fool. I should have known that damn dwarf device would hurt me.”
“If you had answered their questions, nothing would have happened,” Birger chided.
“They had no reason to know such personal things,” Jonas said. “I told them what they needed to know. That Ethan is the son of Praxis Dragonvein, and I was his father’s servant. That should have been enough.”
“The king has his own ideas about what is or is not enough,” Birger told him. “I would suggest you get used to that fact.”
Jonas curled his lip and crossed his arms. “They can ask me as many questions as they want. But I will not answer unless they are relevant. My personal affairs are my own and belong to no one else. Not even