The Shadow Dragons - James A. Owen [70]
“That’s not all we’ve overlooked,” said Ransom. “Look more closely at the photo.”
“Hmm,” said Charles. “That’s a puzzler.”
“You see it, don’t you?” asked Ransom.
“I think so,” said Charles. “The light source is on the right, so all the people are casting shadows to the left. But the Red King, Chancellor Murdoch, or whoever he is—well, he appears to have two shadows.”
“Lord preserve us,” breathed Jack. “Now we know where the Winter King’s Shadow went. It wasn’t destroyed after all.”
“The Chancellor isn’t preparing the Archipelago to fight the Winter King,” said Ransom. “He is the Winter King.”
PART FOUR
The Town That Wasn’t
There
There were other familiar faces as well . . .
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Legendarium
Richard Burton was a man used to responsibility. What he was not used to was accountability, especially when the rules of the game he was playing suddenly changed.
“The last door was defective,” he said gruffly. “I don’t know what the problem was.”
“Define ‘defective,’” said the Chancellor.
Burton could always tell when the Chancellor was upset. There was a strange whirring sound emanating from his chest, and his neck made an odd clicking noise when he spoke. Not good.
“It didn’t open into a time, it opened into a place,” said Burton. “A small stone room that was completely empty. No exit, and no dragon. We’ve already discarded the door.”
“Fine,” said the Chancellor. “We’ll be done soon enough anyway.”
“What about the Caretakers?”
“They know where to look now,” the Chancellor said, glancing at Kipling. “And they will be coming, make no mistake.”
“Should I summon the others to return as well, before they’re found out too?” Kipling asked.
“No,” the Chancellor said after considering the question. “They may yet be useful where they are.”
“You realize I can’t go back. They’ll be watching now.”
“That’s what we want,” came the reply. “They’ll be looking for you, and not watching their backs. That’s how I was able to procure this.” The Chancellor held up an object.
Kipling went pale. “How did you get that?”
The Chancellor laughed, and it was a harsh, grating sound. “Let’s just say your report was useful, and two of your colleagues have finally redeemed themselves.”
“The timing of the attack on Kor is no coincidence,” said Artus. “The next scheduled referendum at the Senate is regarding whether or not to give increased powers to the Chancellor. And as the islands that have joined the protectorate remain untouched, while a powerful nation such as Kor is in flames, I have no doubt the motion will be overwhelmingly passed.”
“When is the referendum scheduled?” asked Bert.
“Tonight.”
“Can’t you stop it?” asked Jack. “Or postpone it? Or something? You’re the king!”
“An honorary title within the republic,” said Artus. “I have more influence than power, and with the Chancellor’s allies, I have far less influence than he.”
“I’m guessing his allies include the Goblins and the Trolls?” asked Charles.
“The Goblins remain apart from the rest of us,” said Artus, “but the Trolls were early participants in the protectorate.”
“And this didn’t set off any alarm bells for you?” asked Jack.
“Why would it?” Artus replied. “While war has run rampant in the Summer Country, we’ve had relative peace here—and the protectorate initiative has been taking care of the lands rather than invading them. We’ve been watching for an attack from the Winter King, not a fruit basket.”
“He’s attacked you now, though,” said Charles. “Can’t you use that against him?”
“How?” asked Artus. “The Chancellor will decry the attack and want to rally to Kor’s aid! Anything I say, with only suspicion and photographs as evidence, will look like a personal attack.”
“Not to mention that it will alert the Chancellor—uh, Winter King—whatever he is that we know what he’s up to,” Bert put in. “I have an alternate suggestion. We should consult Samaranth for advice. Outside of Verne or Poe, he’ll have a better idea of what to do than anyone.”
Reluctantly, Artus agreed. It felt a bit like cowardice, to slip away from the palace to plan and