Free War of Power (The Trouble with Magic Book 3) by B. J. Beach Page B

Evalin, but before I sit down perhaps you could tell me what I should do with this.”
    Removing the wrapped crystal from his pocket, he unfolded the dark blue cloth and held out the sparkling stone towards her. Evalin stood up, and Karryl’s skin prickled briefly as she gazed at the crystal and assessed it.
    She sat down again, her dark eyes alive with amusement. “Well, if it’s yours I suggest you lodge it in the treasury and get a receipt. Where did you get it?”
    After placing the stone in her outstretched hand, Karryl sat beside her and was about to relate the events of the afternoon when Mallen the footman came in with a tea-tray, placing it on a small low table in front of them.
    Evalin held up her free hand. “Thank you Mallen. I’ll pour. There’ll be nothing else for tonight.”
    Mallen bowed. “Thank you my Lady. Goodnight.”
    Once he had left the room, Evalin placed the crystal on the table and poured tea while Karryl told her about Symon’s collapse, Mordas’ attempt to destroy the contaminated crystal, and finally the spell the entity had given him which had resulted in the clear and shining stone which now sat on her table.
    She sat, thoughtfully sipping tea while she contemplated the crystal, then putting down her cup, turned to Karryl. “‘Tis a pity I have to tell you that Mordas is now the owner of what is probably the largest diamond in the world. Did you know?”
    Karryl nearly dropped his teacup as his eyebrows rose to their limit. He gulped down the rest of his tea and stood up. “I’d better return it to her and give her the good news.”
    As he reached down to pick up the glittering gem, Evalin leaned forward and placed a restraining hand over his. “Wait a while. It’s quite safe here. I’ll find something suitable to put it in presently.”
    Karryl sat down again and Evalin looked at him intently. “I understand now why Mordas failed to keep the appointment. But tell me if you can, why she wanted to see me this afternoon.”
    Karryl leaned back in his chair, unable to take his eyes off the great diamond as the flickering firelight seemed to imbue it with a life of its own. “Mordas thinks, and I agree with her, that Symon is in need of a rest cure somewhere away from Vellethen. I’m certain she had somewhere in mind, but she felt she had to ask your permission.”
    Evalin thought for a moment, then her dark eyes sparkled as she gave him a secretive little smile. “Not my permission, only that of the beings who inhabit the place she was surely thinking of. I would only be the go-between. Leave it with me and I’ll make the arrangements. I trust you and Symon will be at home tomorrow?”
    Karryl gave a wry little smile. “Well, I was going to try and find the entrance to the hiding place of the third artefact. Still, as I’ve got a fairly good idea where to look, I suppose a few more hours won’t make much difference.”
    Evalin listened with interest as he went on to tell her about the work he had done with Keril’s book and the partial solving of the riddle. When he had finished, Evalin clasped her hands beneath her chin and sat in quiet contemplation for a few minutes.
    A little smile played across her lips as she turned to Karryl. “If the entrance is where you think it is, I may have the answer to the ‘old bones’.” She stood up and beckoned to Karryl. “Come and give me a hand.”
    His curiosity roused, Karryl followed her into another room. Impressed and amazed, he looked about him. The large room was similar in size to the store room in the palace where he had helped Symon locate the amulets they had used against the Wraith. However, Evalin’s room was filled to capacity, not with boxes but books. Ceiling-high bookcases occupied every wall. Two large tables in the centre of the room were piled with neat stacks of books and boxes of scrolls.
    Evalin pointed to one of the tables. “If you’ll clear a large space on there, I’ll try and find a book I