Two guards entered with what looked like metal bracelets. Toshie braced herself as one knelt by her feet.

  Snap.

  The cold metal closed around her ankle. She bit her tongue. Sally, Yrlith, and Brot also remained silent as the bracers were snapped into pce. The puddle of Billiam still sizzled.

  “The Stinger Bracers have been attached, Glorious Queen,” said a guard with a bow.

  She snickered. “Good, good. Let me expin this. You work for me now. Try to remove those bracers, and you will meet the same fate as your dear Butcher friend.”

  “He was no friend,” Sally quipped.

  “Irrelevant,” bit back the Queen. “You will do as I say. Or you will die.”

  “And what are we going to do?” Sally’s bravery was returning.

  “You, my dear Dwarf, will have the honor of stealing from your parents.”

  “What?” Sally tilted her head at the Queen.

  “Oh, don’t give me that look. I know all about you, Tunasad. You are the first and only daughter of Zwiebel Unterstone and his wife, Majo. A blessing, they first thought you, for they went years without child. Born with golden hair, your father feared you were not his own. And as you grew, so did his doubts. The tallest Dwarf to ever live. Are you your father’s daughter? I know not the truth, but I know of curses, and you are one upon your house.”

  Sally burned with rage. Before she could open her mouth, the Queen continued.

  “And so I offer you a chance for revenge. Return to your parents. Earn back their trust. Use that trust to steal the Crimson Orb from them.”

  “Lady, you’re nuts. My parents don’t have an Orb.”

  The Queen smiled. “You think they would share their secrets with their cursed child?”

  Sally scoffed.

  “And after the Crimson Orb has been obtained, you will return to me for your next task.”

  ‘The Crimson Orb?’ Toshie sighed.

  “Oh, is something the matter, dear Hero? For I am sure you fear not death. You are the Hero, after all! But your friends shall also perish if you do not do as I say. Gather the Orbs. Bring to me the power I deserve.”

  Toshie wanted to roll her eyes. But that seemed unwise when she could turn a man into a purple puddle.

  “How do you know we’ll do it?” Sally asked. “I can live with a bracelet on my leg. They’re not uglier than some of the jewelry my family has.”

  “Call in my daughter,” the Queen said.

  One guard poked their head out the door and let out a scream. A cloaked figure entered the room. She approached the Queen and pulled back her hood, revealing silver hair.

  “Mother.” The word cked affection.

  “My dear Navarin, you will guide these four to Unterstone.”

  “Yes, Mother.” Navarin’s voice had a simir melody to her mother’s but was cold. It reminded Toshie of how she spoke to her mother in recent years, and she shivered.

  “Guards, take the Hero and her companions to the guest quarters. Feed and bathe them. Navarin, you remain here.”

  The guards bowed and dragged Toshie and the others out of the room.

  Once they were alone, the Queen resumed her instructions.

  “First, sail to Waterlink. Find a ship back to Unterstone to reduce suspicion. Once there, you will assume the role of Tunasad’s guest. Tell the King and Queen you offer a peace treaty between Unterstone and Soirvin. Instruct Tunasad to obtain the Crimson Orb. Of course, you are to kill any of them should they disobey. Except our dear Dwarf Princess. Understood?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Lorraine sighed. “My dear, I know we are not on the best of terms, but you can say more to me than two words, can you not? I ask this of you not because you are my daughter but because I trust you more than anyone else.”

  “Of course, Mother.”

  “Once you have the Crimson Orb, you may return here if necessary. Otherwise, continue searching for the others.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Lorraine sighed again. “Go and prepare. I shall have the peace treaty drafted and ready for you in the morning.”

  Navarin turned around without saying anything and left her mother’s chambers.

  The Queen sighed, pulled out a pen and piece of paper, and began to write.