“His Highness is worried about you,” said Haring. “He could not stay long, but he said he would like to visit once you are feeling better.”
“I’m happy for his concern, but it wouldn’t do to have him here when he keeps such a busy schedule. I think it’s better I visit him when I’m well enough for an outing.”
“Ordinarily I’d say you were right, but...”
Haring looked troubled, and this surprised me. After all, the crown prince was known for traipsing through the city on a whim, and, as one of his subordinates, this had been a constant source of worry and frustration for Haring.
“Karen, you’re the woman of the hour, so to speak,” said Elena, picking up where Haring left off. “There will likely be no end to the people looking for a slice of your attention in the coming days, and some of those invitations you won’t be able to turn down. You’d best make sure that you’re prepared. One of my superiors was called to the palace for their bravery in the war, and they had so many people to speak with that upon returning home they practically bathed themselves in drink.”
“That many people? Really?”
“They were only scheduled to be there from morning to noon, but they didn’t arrive home until well after nightfall.”
Elena spoke every word with the utmost seriousness. I wanted to avoid anything like that until I was back to full health.
Next, Haring and Elena updated me on the status of Ern’s parents. Thanks to Moritz’s swift efforts, the two had been picked up by a passing merchant. However, neither felt the urge to return to Falkrum at present, and they were still considering their options. As parents of an enemy of the state, their names would travel far and wide, and they would have to proceed with caution.
“And Ern’s home will go to somebody else?” I asked.
“Baldur is directly involved in that, and the state has ownership of her home,” replied Haring. “It’s under their watch, which means you’ll need to negotiate for any visits.”
“We assume they’re still running through it with a fine-tooth comb,” added Elena. “Your arm and that bird of yours have to stay strictly confidential, okay?”
Once things had settled, I hoped I might be able to give Ern’s parents some of her belongings.
“I don’t think we can do anything about your hair,” Elena continued, “and dyeing it is sure to be a huge pain. We can say it went white due to overwork.”
That worked for me. My hair was still very much a game of wait-and-see, and it was possible that it might yet return to its former color. The rumors were bound to swirl as soon as people caught sight of it, but there wasn’t anything we could do about that.
Within the capital itself, the situation was calm, and nothing was out of the ordinary. Part of the lack of any general worry was due to how quickly I had “eliminated” the threat. The other was the speed with which Baldur and Lubeck had pounced on the opportunity I’d made for them, which is to say that they used the incident as an excuse to round up known and rumored dissenters and throw them in jail. It was unclear whether these people were actually traitors or not, but Ern’s name was at least enough to open a path to their arrests.
“Now that they’ve been arrested, proving their innocence won’t be easy,” said Elena, frowning. “There’s nothing we can do.”
“I’ll bet they planned to rid the capital of their enemies as part of it all,” commented Haring.
Emperor Karl was known for seizing upon such opportunities to rid himself of his opponents.
“There’s yet more I’d like to speak to the two of you about, but I think that’s enough for today,” I said.
“I’m sure these discussions don’t help put you at ease either,” said Elena. “Make sure you get enough rest.”
“I suppose I’ll head off to report to His Highness,” said Haring. “Take care of things while I’m gone, Elena.”
“You got it. Don’t come home too late.”
Among other things, Haring had to inform Reinald of my black bird companion, still fast asleep.
“Any messages you’d like to pass on to the prince?” asked Haring. “If you’ve any complaints, I’ll happily see them delivered.”
“Tell him I’m sorry to have made his life difficult.”
“I’m certain he’d likely want to say the same.”
“Right?” added Elena. “Come on, at least charge him a nuisance fee or something.”
“But I caused him just as much trouble,” I said.
“He’d pay it,” said Elena. “You’re about the only person he shows any real human consideration. He really was worried about you, and if you asked for a jewel, he’d send you a chest full of them.”
I didn’t think it at all likely things would go that way, but even Haring didn’t deny it. He offered only a wry chuckle.
“He may be rather cold and aloof, but I know there’s more to him than that,” I said. “I won’t stand for any teasing.”
“Oh, we know he’s got his good side. I’m talking about the other masks he wears.”
“Ignore my wife,” said Haring. “In any case, are you going to name your new friend?”
“Hmm... Well, I still don’t even know what it is yet. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“It’s quite the cutie, isn’t it? And you’ve been squeezing it in your hand the whole time we’ve been talking.”
“I couldn’t help it. There’s just something about how it feels...”
Things were back in motion now that I was up and about, and it was in the swirl of all of this that a message arrived from the palace. It was an invitation to an award ceremony for my efforts. Everybody had known it was coming, but I had a feeling that it was going to come with a whole lot of reunions and a helping of trouble on the side.