The king laughed at the irony. “Which is why we postponed my coronation for so long. It’s said that there is power in the Stone that preserves the monarchy. But political pressures were such that we had to hold the ceremony. The Stone of Scone that I sat upon in Westminster was a fake we fashioned.”
Simon looked at Kate. “Clearly, wherever the true Stone may be, Gaios doesn’t have it. He doesn’t know the Stone in Westminster is a fake. That may work to our advantage.” He turned to the king. “Sir, what I propose is that you allow us to take your makeshift Stone. We can create a false story that the vault was damaged in their attack, and the Stone is being taken to another hiding spot. This will bring our miscreants out to seize it.”
“It’s our best option,” Kate said.
“Well and good,” King William replied. “You may have our Stone as bait. And when you encounter the monsters, deal with them.” He stressed the final phrase.
“We need them,” Simon said pointedly. “They may have useful information to uncover a greater threat to Britain.”
William’s brow knitted with concern. “I’d prefer a permanent solution, for the safety of the monarchy, you understand.”
“Then you’ve come to the wrong people, sir.” Simon rose from his seat.
“I beg your pardon?” King William’s voice was cold with sudden anger.
“I can assure you, Your Majesty, we are not timid in dealing with threats. We have eliminated many in the past, as Mrs. North will vouch. But in this matter you must trust my judgment. The powers we wield are too dangerous to be driven by mere political concerns. Forgive my bluntness, but we are not a cannon that you may aim as you will. We dare not become assassins for the Crown.”
“Damn you, Archer, but you forget yourself. I am your king. You presume to stroll in off the dance floor and appreciate the welfare of this land better than I who have served it my entire life? You would dare tell me when the danger is sufficient for you to act?”
“That is the sum of it, sir.”
The king was red-faced, nearly sputtering. “Are you mad? These monsters who struck at Westminster would kill you or anyone without a pause for breath.”
Imogen’s strange voice seeped out from behind her veil. “But we’re not like them. We’re not monsters.”
A silence fell on the room. Simon watched the stern face of William as the king regarded Imogen with angry curiosity. Kate took Imogen’s hand and smiled. Malcolm seemed relaxed now, and he nodded at Imogen with a look of respect. Charlotte was the only one nervous.
Finally the king shook his head and cleared his throat quietly. “Well said, miss. I am content for now to leave the … details of the situation in your very capable hands.” He indicated Grace North and Kate. “And I will leave you to it.”
“Oh!” came the alarmed cry from Charlotte. “Are you leaving? Is the princess here today? Victoria? I had hoped to see her.”
King William smiled and bent at the waist to be closer to Charlotte’s worried face. “She is not, I fear. But I know that she would enjoy having you to tea at some point.”
“Oh yes!” Charlotte cried. “Today?”
“No, dear.” Kate pressed down on the hopping girl’s shoulder. “Not today. We are grateful to wait on an invitation from the princess.”
The king said, “Your monarch thanks you all. Even you, Mr. MacFarlane. Needless to say, once you have dealt with these troublemakers, we would very much like for you to find the true Stone and return it to us.”
Malcolm crossed his arms in silence.
William laughed nervously. “Mrs. North, I’ll expect a full report later today.”
When the door closed, Grace showed a much colder visage, assuming control of the room. She turned to Simon. “Shall we get down to business?”
Chapter 5
“Nick Barker!” Rebecca shouted when Nick entered the Devil’s Loom with a strange companion. The barmaid hardly spared a glance to Nick’s tall hunched friend as she bustled toward him with arms outstretched and gathered the stocky man into a sweaty embrace. “First Simon and now you. I wish you two lads would come back together.”
Nick accepted her wet kiss on his cheek. “Simon is so jealous of me and how you love me.”
“Oh, I’ve bosom enough for both of you, should you care to try.”
Nick nodded approvingly in confirmation of her statement. “For now, two ales will do.”
The two men found a back bench. The crowd was thin because it was early. The ambient conversation had finally turned back to parish gossip and turf racing. What happened in far-off Westminster was nearly as distant to these folk as news from India or China.
Nick studied the crowd for a familiar face as he drank. He spoke to his companion out of the corner of his mouth. “Mind you keep near me, old boy. I can’t keep the glamour spell on you if you move too far away. In fact, don’t move about much at all. More chance for people to see the blur in the glamour. It’s hard enough casting it on someone else to begin with.”
Simon sat back with the peculiar feeling of looking exactly like himself as far as he was concerned. “Would it help to drink more of that potion of yours?”