Page 36 of The Desert King's Spy (Magic and Kings 2)
I could only imagine the grave damage predators attacking from the sky could accomplish. “A good thing you told the King. Did he send his soldiers to hunt them down?” And how had I not heard of this? Then again, hadn’t I heard people talking about flying lizards? Most scoffed at them as being sun deluded.
A slight shake of her head. “He listened to my story and thanked me for sharing it.”
“And?”
“Nothing.”
“Surely he sent some soldiers?”
Her lips turned down. “Once he rejected my plea, I returned to tell my husband, only it was already too late. My home was burned to the ground. No one left alive.”
“What of the dragons?”
“Roaming free, I imagine, looking for their next target.”
“Why do you think they attacked?” Because I often wondered why my family was targeted. Had it been the daily percussion of our feet on the ground?
“They’re hungry. So very hungry.” The widow’s lips turned down.
How could the King ignore something like this? “Why did you return here?” I asked.
“To tell him to his face he killed my husband.”
I didn’t point out the fact that her husband would have died even if she’d returned with soldiers. She had a right to grieve. “How did the King react?” Obviously not violently given she sat by me complaining.
“Offered me his condolences and said to enjoy his hospitality for as long as I wanted.”
“I’m surprised you stayed under the roof of your husband’s killer.” It should be noted I didn’t think the King was actually at fault here, and this despite my earlier harangue about his failure to guard the road. Refreshed in body, even I had to concede he couldn’t be aware of every single problem in his kingdom. He had limited resources, but still… It surprised me that he’d let a malcontent like the widow remain and paint him in an unflattering light.
“The King will answer for his failure to protect his people. And I want to be here to see it when it happens.” The fanatical light in her eyes held a spark of orange, and the dark turn in the conversation had me aware I had to tread carefully in this place where the king’s word was law.
But the widow certainly was interesting and, judging by the hand on my thigh, susceptible. Perhaps once I returned to my tizana role, I’d find a way to have a private audience.
I excused myself. “It was lovely meeting you, Baroness Klow.” I rose from my seat. “I hope we have a chance to speak again.”
“Be careful with the King. He’s not the man people think he is.”
Bitter words, or was it a hint of something more?
I wondered what the widow meant as I headed to the stairs to reach my room. As I weaved between some columns, I found myself with company.
“Watch that widow. She’s a viper,” my uncle murmured.
“She’s very upset about her husband dying.”
Jrijori snorted. “So upset she wore mourning for one day and was in bed with a kitchen maid the night after that.”
“Brazen of her to be telling everyone she wants the King punished.”
“Mouthy but with no recourse,” Jrijori stated. “All she has are threats with no substance.”
People with nothing to lose could be dangerous, though. As we stepped behind a column close to the wall, Jrijori paused. “You might be interested in knowing the monsters you encountered are a new species.”
“You say that like it’s important.”
“Ulkruuba has the largest number of new species of monsters that I’ve found thus far. Other places are only seeing a few giant specimens returning. Weztroga got spiders and wuulvs. I hear for Jaaman, their oceans have seen a return of whales. Dragons have been cropping up in all the kingdoms, which is odd. Although Weztroga appears to have the largest flocks if the stories of them in the sky can be believed. Then add in the sand lizards, the zkarabs, the korpios, and this newest creature, which someone identified as a sandkraken.”
“The Great Desert has always been the most dangerous place in the world.” I chose to be proud of the fact my people thrived in it.