The next thirty minutes were extremely interesting to me as the parliament members brought up each country in the realm, and the previous tensions within those countries. Brakken and Wylan had the best relationship, which was no surprise to me as Keir had told me as much a while ago. Dra Skor was bigger than Wylan and by default always the country with which tensions were harshest. Agria kept to themselves and always had. Corsha was a series of volcanic islands to the far east of us and had an ally in Dra Skor for most matters, it seemed. I was intrigued to learn their Enchantment had been visions, specific to their lands so they knew which island was going to erupt and were able to evacuate the people safely.
As someone who had thought magic inherently evil for most of my life, it was yet another example of magic being used to protect and not harm.
I also remembered back when the king had first tried to knock me out to get my blood, how the princes had gotten me out of that card game with the king by some sort of forged letter between Dra Skor and Agria.
It seemed while Krew had taken control of the disloyal hunting within Wylan, Keir had busied himself with foreign affairs.
But there was still so much I didn’t know.
What is Dra Skor’s Enchantment?I asked Krew.
It has always been kept somewhat hushed yet surrounded by rumors, but it has to do with the unique creatures that roam their land. My father doesn’t even like to speak of it.
Was it odd that only made me want to visit?
Do the other countries have bonds?I asked. I assumed Dra Skor wouldn’t if their magic was in their creatures and not their people, unless a creature and human could bond, kind of like the connection I had with Rafe.
Yes. Though the ceremonies themselves differ from country to country, the sentiment is the same. Blood to blood exchange of power which must be consensual.
So what happens if someone from two different countries bond?
It is very rare,Krew explained.People rarely marry or have a friendship strong enough to consider bonding with someone else when they live in different countries.But in some rare cases, the pair takes on a weaker version of each other’s Enchantments, in others the stronger magic is rooted in both.
Why isn’t more of this common knowledge? I feel like I barely even knew of the other countries names before now.
Because my father likes to believe Wylan’s magic is superior to the rest of the forms of Enchantments. So why even take the time to learn about the other cultures?
Oh how I loathe him.
“Dra Skor has done a better job of keeping the lines of communication open recently,” a parliament member argued. “Perhaps it is in our best interest to begin to repair our relationships with the other countries.”
The king gave an indifferent shrug. “Dra Skor has always manipulated the other countries to bend to their will. I will not barter with those bullies or their pets.”
“What about Agria?” Someone else asked. “Or Corsha?”
The king cocked his head. “Fine.”
“And Her Highness’s vote?” Mr. Winston asked.
The king turned his head to me and gave me a nod.
All of this enraged me. Absolutely enraged me. I thought of the pain Krew felt when the gauntlets were on him, how it felt to have his magic suffocated. And some countries still didn’t have their powers back? How many lives had the king ruined when he poisoned the other countries? “Of course we should reach out and begin mending our relationships with the others.”
“I will send my correspondents with letters,” Keir said with a nod. “Often times the letters are not received well and are rarely responded to, but maybe news of our lake being healed will be cause enough for them to listen.”
“They are just jealous we were able to keep the disease out of Wylan and they were not,” the king declared.
“Or perhaps they are suspicious,” I offered quietly to the king.
Be careful,Krew snapped.
“Of what?” the king asked me from around a hand resting on his chin.
Content with the decision to send correspondence to Agria and Corsha, parliament switched topics to the construction of the rather ostentatious Savaryn mansions. My absolute favorite topic of these sessions.
“Jorah,” the king whispered.
I looked to him and then back to the discussion like I was paying attention. I made sure my voice stayed quiet. “Perhaps they are suspicious of the fact that all the other countries, who were once powerful in their own right, have been severely crippled by this so-called disease while Wylan has not suffered much. A lake and forest turned black, but no power was lost.”
