01 The Fanged Crown by Jenna Helland

Author:Jenna Helland [Helland, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"Do you know of Avalor, Treespeaker of the Wealdath?" Tresco asked.

"The filthy elf who sits at Anais's knee and laps up her scraps?" Ysabel asked.

"Yes," Tresco said. "I've had word that he hired a mercenary to investigate the colony in Chult."

"Why would he do that?" Ysabel asked.

"Because he doesn't know his place," Tresco said darkly. "Evonne would have done something about it, if only she'd had the chance."

"What about my mother's supporters?" Liel asked. "Why aren't they doing something?"

"You've heard of the battle of Ebenspy Keep, of course. Many of your parent's closest followers died in that assault. But the Branch of Linden still grows. You may yet see the Tethyr that your mother worked so hard to achieve." A silence fell over them as they stood beside the grave.

"May I ask you a question, Uncle?" Ysabel asked.

"You may," Tresco replied.

"Why were you annoyed with Cardew last night at dinner?"

"You're very observant. I was annoyed with him. He failed me in a business venture."

"A business venture with the colony?"

"Of course not," Tresco said testily. "That was Anais's enterprise. It was another matter entirely. But I am a forgiving man, and I'll give him another chance to prove himself."

"That is kind of you," Ysabel agreed.

"Despite Cardew's shortcomings, he would make an adequate husband for you."

"It's not too soon since his wife died?" Ysabel asked.

"No, it's been almost a year. He's free to marry. And the sooner the better I say."

"You know best, Uncle. I know my mother would have trusted your instincts."

"Your mother was a brilliant woman," Tresco said, warming up to the conversation. Ysabel had heard him say those things before, but he liked talking about Evonne. "Before I met her, I never put much stock in the intelligence of women. So easily distracted. But Evonne was unique."

"How so?"

"She had a keen eye for politics. And for people. She surrounded herself with only the finest men. She had natural talent, as well."

"In magic?"

"Oh, I wasn't thinking about magic, but yes, she dabbled in spells now and then. She was always at her books, and I think she learned a great deal simply by force of will."

"Men underestimate both force and will," Ysabel said quietly.

Tresco peered down at her, "No child. I meant that she worked hard to achieve what she had. After your father died, she was all alone. Most women would have crawled into a bed and wept. But not your mother. She took up his mantle."

"You admired that? I wouldn't think you would approve."

"I didn't at first. Eventually, I saw the necessity of her political involvement. It was her other interests that troubled me."

"What do you mean?"

Tresco sighed. "There was a dark side to your mother."

"A dark side?"

"She was fascinated by macabre things. Had she lived, I would have made sure to direct her interests elsewhere. I've tried very hard to keep you away from such things."

"How horrible. I didn't know that about her."

"It wasn't dire. Ironically, it was her interests that made me what I am today."

"How so?"

"A few months after she died," he said, "I found one of her manuscripts in my study.

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