"A lack of work," I said. At his frown, I added, "We're bored."
Balthazar waved his cup to take in the other guards. "And you hoped to find entertainment here?"
"Your company is always a delight, Balthazar."
He grunted but a small smile ghosted his lips as he sipped.
"Max was just telling us the village is growing restless again." I addressed myself to Dane, who'd yet to say a single word. I couldn't fathom what he thought of my presence in his garrison.
"The sheriff has his concerns," he said. "After meeting with him today, I now share them."
"Why?" Balthazar asked. "What did he say?"
"The two factions in The Row are fighting again. But that's not the biggest threat. Ned Perkin conducts meetings in The Anchor every night, and his followers are growing."
"Apparently his speeches are rousing," Quentin added. "Sheriff Neerim says Perkin is a born leader and the people listen to him."
Meg clicked her tongue but didn't say anything. I suspected she had strong opinions but was keeping them to herself out of shyness.
"What does Ned want?" I asked. "The issues are beyond simple resolutions. The population explosion can't be easily resolved, nor can prices simply be lowered. Not until supplies increase. The ships can't bring in more supplies until the harbor is dredged to allow for bigger ships, and homes can't be built without land and materials, or the money to purchase them."
Dane eased himself onto a chair with the softest of sighs. It was the only sign that the wounds caused by the animal trap still troubled him. "Perkin is focusing on the housing shortage," he said. "He's reminding everyone that The Row is taking up a significant parcel of land."
"By keeping the poorest of the poor off the street," I pointed out.
"We already know he doesn't want to rehouse the poor," Meg said. "He made that clear at the last village meeting. Ned is shortsighted. He can't see that the consequences of removing The Row will be devastating for the people living there."
"And lead to even more unrest," Balthazar added.
"There'll be unrest before that happens," Dane said. "Perkin is planning protests. The sheriff is worried and has sent for reinforcements."
My village was becoming less and less like the home I knew. Sometimes I longed for the days when the annual fair brought the most excitement. Other times, I remembered that I would never have met Dane if The Rift never happened.
"Let me know if I can be of assistance," Balthazar said to Dane. "Life is quiet here at the palace lately. Too quiet. There are no revels to plan, no grand dinners to organize, and more and more nobles are leaving every day."
"You should put your feet up and relax," Quentin told him.
Balthazar tapped his leg with his walking stick. "These feet can't go up. I have to do something. If not, I might as well be dead."
"At least you still have some work to keep you occupied," Theodore said with a sigh. "I am a valet without a master. In the last few days, I have rearranged the clothes in the royal wardrobe five times and taken stock of all jewels and personal effects four times."
"Become a guard," said one of the guards. "You can't be any worse than Quentin."
Quentin rolled his eyes. "At least his company will be more interesting than yours."
Theodore chuckled. "I'd rather rearrange the wardrobe again. I've also been running errands for Balthazar. While we still have staff here at the palace, he has work to do, if significantly less."
"Once the dukes leave, the rest of the nobles will follow," Dane said. "When that happens, the palace really will feel empty."
Balthazar lifted his gaze to Dane's, and a worried look passed between them. "And the number of staff we currently have will become unnecessary," Balthazar said. "If the dukes want to decrease costs, that's where they'll start."
"Is it their decision to make?" I asked. "Or the finance minister's?"
"The finance minister died two days ago," Dane said. "He succumbed to his illness."
"And Dr. Clegg?" I asked, referring to the finance minister's private doctor. Dr. Clegg and I had clashed on numerous occasions, even though I had the king's support. It didn't concern Leon that I was a woman. He only saw me as a doctor. It had been his one good trait.
"He left," Dane said.
That meant Doctor Ashmole was the only qualified medic within miles.
"Lord Claypool is the new finance minister," Dane said. "But he is still coming to terms with the position."
"Miranda's father? I'm glad. He seems sensible. Which duke does he support?"
"A good question," Balthazar said. "Publicly, he's not saying. His lack of allegiance was why he was appointed finance minister so swiftly. Neither duke opposed him. Besides, they've been busy these last few days. Very busy. They were appointed co-regents, giving them complete authority over decisions affecting the realm. But they must agree. Financial savings will be an area they agree on."
"One of few," Max added. "I heard they argued throughout most of that meeting. And to think, they were allies when Leon was alive."
"Their aims aligned then. They don't anymore."
"They claim they won't fight each other for the crown," Quentin piped up. "They promised they wouldn't ruin the country with a war of succession."
Ray snorted. "If you believe them, you're a fool."
"Which one has the strongest support?" I asked.
"Hard to say," Dane said. "Few noblemen have publicly acknowledged their allegiance. We suspect many will do so once they leave the palace and return to the relative safety of their own estates. Until then, only the dukes know."
"Perhaps not even they," Balthazar said. "Some lords will play both sides until they can see what the outcome will be."
"You know quite a lot about the nature of powerful men and politics," I said. "Perhaps you were an advisor before you lost your memory."
"I would have been recognized by one of the noblemen," he pointed out. "And I like to think I'm more of an observer of human nature than of power and politics."
"Are they not the same thing?" Theodore quipped.
Balthazar lifted his cup in salute. "So it would seem."
"Do you think the dukes will depart soon?" I asked.
Dane nodded.
"And what of Lord Barborough? Has he returned to Vytill?"
"Not yet," Dane said. "He has been ordered to leave, but he remains here, like a stain that can't be removed. The moment he's caught spying, however, he'll be escorted out of the country. So far, he has stayed out of the way and not been seen speaking to any of the nobles."
Theodore pointed his wine cup at Balthazar. "Bal has a theory about that. He thinks Barborough is still here because he wants to find the gem."
"Of course he wants the gem," Balthazar said.
"Why?" I asked. "It's useless to anyone but Leon. Only the one who found it can use the sorcerer's three wishes."