Dagon took Electra's elbow and guided her to a quiet corner of the Great Hall. He looked around to make sure no one was watching them, then pulled a paper cylinder from his tunic and carefully unrolled it. He separated a few grains of the white powder from the black and yellow powders.
"Are you familiar with this white powder?" he asked.
Electra pressed a few grains to her finger tip and studied them closely. "It radiates heat. I believe it might have been an ingredient in one of Serafina's magic tricks. A violet flash—a small explosion." Electra looked up at Dagon, wondering why he was interested in a sorceress's tool.
"Yes. That must be it. This is the one ingredient used in the exploding arrows that we have not been able to identify."
"You wish to create exploding arrows? Why?"
"We make swords and armor. If these exploding arrows are the new direction of warfare, we need to know how to produce them."
Electra shook her head. "Advancements in warfare are anathema to physicians."
Dagon smiled. "Your apprenticeship is advancing quickly. You already count yourself as one of them."
Electra scraped the grains of powder back onto the paper. She looked up at Dagon. "I do feel I have found my calling. I admire Rabar. He is a fine physician and a patient teacher."
Dagon rolled the paper cylinder carefully to preserve the contents. "Do you know where Serafina purchased this white powder?"
"No. But she must have purchased it. It was not something I gathered for her from the swamp. She may have got it from trading ships coming in to port at Land's End."
"Do you know the name of the powder?"
"No. You could ask for the white powder that burns with a violet flame. To advise you further—I would have to ask Serafina."
"That might not be a good idea. Deimos went looking for the powder in Henge and an alert went out to the Palace Guard. He was nearly apprehended. I believe it is a closely guarded secret in Henge. Even asking about it almost led to his arrest."
"Perhaps Rabar is familiar with it. I will be returning to the lake tomorrow. I could ask him."
Dagon shook his head. "Your father will insist that you remain here at the castle until Shandor is apprehended."
Electra turned at the sound of a chime. The call to dinner. The doors to the dining hall swung open and diners began to find their places around the table. The musicians had finished their entertainment and were beginning to pack up their instruments. If she intended to confront Shandor, she would have to do it now. She grasped Dagon's arm as he turned toward the dining room.
"I need to speak to Take the Thief for just a moment. Find our seats at the table and I will join you there." Electra rushed off before Dagon could ask any more questions.
"A very nice concert," Electra said as she approached Take. "I see you have a new fiddle player."
"Shandor. Do you remember him from the Traveler caravan?"
"Yes. I met him there. Perhaps I'll just say hello."
Electra brushed past the other musicians with a smile and spoke to Shandor in a whisper.
"The Royal Guard is even now searching for you at King's Lake. You are to be apprehended and charged doubly—for disobeying King Geoffrey's order to leave Fernland and for threatening a member of the Royal Family."
"I did not threaten you," Shandor replied in an angry voice. "I only asked what you knew of Angelica's whereabouts."
"It is no matter now. The dye is cast. You must leave or be captured."
"And will you be the one to sound the alarm?" His expression turned haughty.
Electra bit back an angry reply. "I can tell you this. Angelica left because you drank too much. She feared you might soon use even your own daughter to secure the thing you loved most. She does not want you to know her whereabouts."
Shandor's face showed how much her charges had hurt him. He quickly regained his belligerent countenance. "Why should I believe you?"
"Because you know it is true." Electra refused to feel pity for this man who had brought on his own suffering. "I will not be the one to sound the hue and cry, but this is likely the only warning you will get. Use it wisely."
Electra turned away and caught up to Dagon as he searched the table for his seat. She was happy to see that they were seated together near the head of the table. It seemed Dagon was now viewed favorably by the king. She wondered why.
King Geoffrey rose when all the guests had been seated. He raised his wine glass in the air.
"We have as our guest tonight, our ally and future son-in-law—Dagon of Helsop." The king tipped his glass in Dagon's direction, then took a sip.
Cries of "Hear, Hear" and broad smiles found Dagon at his place around the table.
"Here is something unexpected." Electra studied Dagon's face. "Have you an explanation for the king's sudden favor?"
Dagon laughed. "Were you to forego your voyage to Taz on my say so, I would likely be named to some important post on the spot."
"I see." Electra turned a wry expression in her father's direction.
Dagon took a sip of wine to acknowledge the king's toast, then turned his attention back to Electra. "I am to extend good wishes to you from many in Helsop. You are missed greatly."
"You flatter me."
"You would not say so were you to see the progress on your school. I've never seen more committed workers."
"You should see to the completion of Helsop's castle first."
Dagon shook his head. "Your school remains our first priority."
"But I have a long apprenticeship still before me."
"Never was there a more apt learner. I predict you will know all in a third the usual time."
Electra laughed. "I will never know all. It would be presumptuous for me to shepherd a school any time soon."
Dagon spread butter on a chunk of bread with his knife. "Am I to continue to find favor with the king? Will you allow the ship to sail without you?"
Electra sighed. "Were I not to go, it would be for that reason alone. But I'm sorry. I feel I need to go." Electra looked at Dagon with affection. "Perhaps I can locate a source of your white powder while I am there."
Dagon's knife froze in mid-air. He glared at Electra with a stern face. "You must not put yourself at risk over that powder. If it is protected in Taz as it is in Henge, even an innocent question could put you in jeopardy."
"I will do nothing to put myself in jeopardy," Electra insisted.
Dagon looked unsure. "Promise me you will forget all about the white powder while in Taz or I swear I will kidnap you myself to keep you from going."
Electra's hands flew up in a gesture of surrender. "I promise! The secret of the powder's whereabouts is safe from me."
Dagon looked at Electra from the corner of his eye, wondering if he could trust her word.