Tori Page 3

much faith in me," he said. "Didn't even bring me new clothes."

  "Amazing," Strin muttered, peering at me. "I felt something draw me here, but it must have been an amazing amount of power to heal that injury so well. This makes it even more important that I get you to the Asylum. If it wouldn't instigate a civil war, I'd consider sneaking you out of the palace now."

  "Don't even think it," my father growled. He had pulled on his bloodstained pants and mail shirt - with nothing underneath - and thrown his cloak aroundhis shoulders. "We're going to see the King."

  His room - an office, you might call it - was unchanged from when I had seen it the day before. I wasn't convinced that the man had moved,as he still sat at the same wooden desk facing the door. We were let in by guards who seemed more than a little disturbed that my father was up and walking about the palace. The King showed the same apprehension.

  "I was led to believe you would not survive the night, brother," the King said, raising an eyebrow.

  "Sorry to dissappoint you," my father said dryly.

  "And to what do we owe this miraculous recovery? Did someone manage to sneak in a Healer?"

  "Not quite. Turns out the situation created a Healer instead." There was a tint of pride in his voice as he gestured toward me.

  The King closed his eyes, as if in pain. "Quite a dilemma," he muttered. "I assume you have her under control, Strin?"

  "Yes, sir."

  The King nodded. "Very good." He scrubbed a hand through his hair, a mimic of my father's action earlier. "If it was anyone else, it would be an easier decision," he said. "Though it's never easy to put someone to death."

  My heart skipped a beat.

  "But obviously that's not an option, now is it?" he continued. I started breathing again.

  "Sir," Strin said, "if I may interject-"

  "I know. The Asylum wants to get its hands on her."

  "She is very talented, sir."

  A moment of silence followed.

  "If I may-" my father began, but was cut off when the King raised his hand.

  "She will renounce any claim to the throne. It would not be suitable for a Madman to rule Attarnon. She will no longer be recognized as part of the royal family. She will be permitted to train her talents in the Asylum. That's all I have to say."

  The three of us bowed and left the room without another word. Before I knew it, I was being whisked out of the palace and personally escorted to the Asylum by Strin.

  To be able to help people. It was what I always wanted. And I was willing to pay any price for that chance.