Miri was lying on the infirmary bed. She looked smaller than she did when she was awake. Bartholomew was speaking to the castle physician and one of the nurses. They made a strange pair, engaged in civil conversation. Bartholomew’s magic and potions were too scarce to be accessible to many people. The physician did not have much respect for the wizard’s unscientific methods, and Bartholomew thought normal medicine was beneath him.

“Will she be alright?” she asked.

Miri stirred in her sleep, and the physician placed a finger at his lips.

“She needs her rest. She’s been working too much. It would be ideal if she retires now. I’ve informed the queen, and she has offered her a generous severance.”

The queen rarely involved herself in matters about the castle. She had a loyal lady-in-waiting that dealt with such matters. But Miri had been a constant in the castle for decades. Saya nodded.

“Then she should retire,” she agreed. “Can you make the arrangements for her travel, Sir Bartholomew?”

“Yes,” Bartholomew said. He too felt guilty about keeping Miri in the castle. She took care of the child without complaint or asking for any compensation. Even normal children were difficult to care for, but a girl like Saya caused ten times more worry.

What if she wants to stay? Netta asked. Would you deprive her of what she wants, just so you did the right thing?

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Don’t try to manipulate me, Saya rebuked. She had followed much of Netta’s advice over the years. Dragons and humans had never interacted much with humans, but Netta understood humans more than anyone else Saya knew. Perhaps it wasn’t humans she understood, but the instincts that drove most people. Netta understood desire and greed.

Miri might want to stay, but if Saya let her, it would be good for neither of them. It would only be her selfishness that would keep Miri at the castle.

People die all the time, you know. You would only be giving her a few more years, and those years might be filled with boredom, in some sleepy little village.

“I’d like to go along with her to her village,” Saya said.

“It looks you’ve all decided,” Miri grumbled. She slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position. “But I haven’t.”

“I’ll come visit,” Saya promised. “As often as I can. So often you’ll become sick of me.”

Miri nodded.

Saya smiled. She would drop Miri off and come back to an emptier life. Bartholomew was a constant companion, but he did not love her the way Miri did. There was no one else other than Miri that loved her at all. Saya smiled harder, willing the tears in her eyes to not fall.

“I’ll start packing for our trip,” Saya said.

Saya left, and Bartholomew followed her out of the room.

“I cannot permit you to leave the castle,” Bartholomew said. “You are too young, and you do not have control over yourself.”

Saya looked up at him. It was true that she was only twelve years old. She wasn’t even old enough to attend one of the finishing schools in the capital. But she was much more than a normal twelve year-old, and it was because of him.

Stupid little man thinks he has power just because he can do a few tricks and brew a few potions, Netta hissed.

“How do you plan on stopping me?” Saya asked.