“But when they came to kill him, there you were,” said Loki.

“She behaved as well as she could,” said Hermia. “Better than you, if what we hear from Eluik and Enopp is even half true.”

Now it was Loki’s turn to blush. “And is the traitor bitch now my judge?” he asked.

“I think so,” said Hermia, refusing to let his goading irk her. “I did as little harm as possible, while still obeying my very dangerous Family. I never terrorized children by perching them in downsloping caves for years on end.”

Loki turned his back on Hermia and faced the king and queen. “We mages are such an imperfect lot,” he said. “Yet I repeat: You and your husband are better than most ruling mages.”

“You learned this from a few foolish questions here on our terrace?” asked the queen.

“I learned it from walking the streets of Y and several villages in Yffyrd. From listening to the talk in the pubs and the comments among the merchants. Few loved you, but none hated you, either. In fact, they were rather proud of your work as Grass-sister, Queen Genoesswess. The harvests are bountiful and the people of your land have not known want since you came of age. While King Sorian has used his power as Rockbrother to carve out dry caves for many poor families to live in, without paying rent. Such kindness is rare among the mages. Treat your enemies’ people as you have treated your own, and I won’t take away these terrible toys. But if you start to use them against the common people, I’ll turn these weapons on you before I destroy them.”

“I understand your rules,” said King Sorian. “We’ll take your concerns into account, until the Gate Thief takes you. But we will always act in the best interests of the dynasty.” He took Queen Genoesswess by the hand and they walked toward the door.

“He didn’t seem as impressed as I had hoped,” said Loki.

“You don’t look as fierce as you sound, Loki,” said Hermia. “There’s more than a hint of the strutting little boy playing at being king.” She winked at the loremaster, Lus, who was still there, watching and listening.

“I’m not king of anything,” said Loki mildly, still watching the king and queen as they passed through the door.

“If you’re not going to gate their helicopters to the bottom of the sea,” said Hermia, “why don’t we go in search of supper?”

Hermia looked at Gerd, who smiled and nodded slightly.

“I’ll return soon, Great Lady, to bring as many dragons as you and Lus agree upon,” said Hermia. “For now, though, we gatemages have a few things to discuss.”

*   *   *