“A reasonable point,” Kazul said, settling reluctantly back into place. “Very well. The first thing I need is a coronation present for the new King. There’s a jeweled helmet on a shelf in the second storeroom that might do. Bring it out so I can take a look at it.”

Cimorene spent the rest of the evening running errands for Kazul. Besides choosing a coronation gift (Kazul rejected the helmet and two crowns before deciding on a scepter made of gold and crystal), innumerable messages had to be delivered to various dragons who were in charge of arranging the trials. This one had to be informed of Kazul’s ill health, so that it could be taken into account when the order of the testing was established; that one had to be told that Kazul would not be able to join the coronation procession. Substitutes had to be found to perform Kazul’s various ceremonial duties, then their names had to be approved by a surly dragon in charge of protocol, and finally the substitutions had to be recorded on all the lists of all the dragons who were managing each of the events. It reminded Cim­orene strongly of Linderwall and her parents’ court.

By the time the last arrangement had been made and the last message delivered, it was very late and Cim­orene was exhausted. She was also very glad she had not let Kazul do all the running around. The dragon, who had slept most of the time Cimorene was out, was looking much better, even in the dim light of Cimorene’s lamp. Tired but satisfied, Cimorene went to her room and dropped into bed.

Cimorene was up early the next morning, stirring a dozen ostrich eggs in a large iron kettle for Kazul’s breakfast. Kazul ate all of them, then slid out of the cave and prepared to leave for the Ford of Whispering Snakes.

“Don’t fret, Princess,” Kazul said. “The testing doesn’t start until ten. I have plenty of time to get there, even if I stop to rest now and then.” Her voice sounded much better than it had the day before, and it no longer seemed to rasp her throat. “While I’m gone, why don’t you visit Woraug’s princess? See if she’s noticed anything odd these past few days. We need to know as much as we can before we talk to the new King about Woraug and the wizards.”

“All right,” Cimorene said. “As soon as I’m done with the dishes.”