The Thief Queen's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

king can take away your curiosity. Trust that curiosity, and your instincts. They will both serve you well.”
    Ven opened his mouth to ask what the king meant, but just then the wall slid open, spilling daylight into the tunnel. The king stepped out and waved for Ven to follow, so he did, moving out of the way just in time as the wall slid shut again.
    He found his way out of the maze of hedges and back into the elemental garden, where he waited for an hour or so, enjoying the sunshine, until a guard came and told him the king was ready to see him.
     
    ----
    I followed the guard down the long hallway to the throne room. The hall was lined with rich tapestries and ended in two huge doors, with guards on either side. My escort announced my name, and the guard on the right opened the door for me. That is a very strange feeling, to be sure.
    Beyond the door, the immense throne room was full of people. Advisors, ambassadors, and courtiers stood in great lines on either side of the room. I had only been inside the throne room twice before, and each time it was empty. It was very strange to see it now, full of people in court clothes.
    We passed the king’s puzzle room, where I had met with him each time before. The door was securely closed. That made me sad—I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the wonderful games and amazing puzzles that the king used to train his mind in puzzling. But there was no time for that. The guard led me up the marble aisle to the dais where the king’s throne stood.
----
     
    Galliard, the Royal Vizier, stood next to the throne. He was wearing the same dark blue robes he had on earlier. His expression was solemn.
    In the massive chair sat King Vandemere, looking very different from when Ven had seen him in the garden. The king’s hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a dark blue velvet shirt with a white collar, and crisp black trousers tucked into black leather boots. Around his neck was a heavy segmented necklace set with blue gems that matched the ones in the silver crown he wore. Ven stopped before the throne, nervous. All the eyes in the room seemed to be drilling holes in his back.
    “Ven Polypheme, Your Majesty,” the guard said.
    The king nodded.
    “Thank you for coming, Ven,” he said. “I regret having to bring you here like this, but I must let you know that I made an error in judgment when I appointed you Royal Reporter. It’s an error I must correct now.
    “I’m sorry to say this, Ven, but you are fired.”

 
4
     
Out of a Job
     
    U RK,” SAID VEN.
    It was the only sound that would come out of his mouth.
     
    ----
    I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach.
    A few moments before, the king had been showing me the secret hiding place of his father’s greatest treasures, the pieces of the magical puzzle he had hired me to find and report back to him about.
    And now, suddenly and before the entire court, I was done.
----
     
    The king’s blue eyes twinkled, but his face remained solemn.
    “I’m sorry if this is a shock, Ven,” he said. “Sometimes a king has to make corrections to his decisions. I hope you understand.”
    “Yes, Your Majesty,” Ven said, but he really didn’t.
    “I hope you will decide to stay in Serendair for a while in spite of this,” the king continued. “This is a very interesting island, and I’m sure you’ll find many things here worth exploring. If you choose to do so, I will pay your rent at the Crossroads Inn. If you wish to leave, I will pay your passage home. But if you stay, I hope you’ll come by from time to time to chat or for a game of Hounds and Jackals. It would be nice to see you every once in a while.”
    The Royal Vizier’s eyebrows arched suddenly.
    King Vandemere noticed, and looked his way. “Something wrong, Galliard?” he asked.
    Galliard drew himself up taller, clutching his staff. It was made of dark wood on top of which was carved an eye. “I would advise against that, Your Majesty.”
    “Really?” said