“Like a riddle,” Jason said. “Or a fact. What if I asked him to name the first syllable of the Word that could destroy Maldor?”

Rocking in his harness, Nicholas let out a violent burst of laughter. “It would almost be worth it, to see the looks on their faces. None of them would know such a word existed. You would have no evidence. Nevertheless, in fear that the word might exist, the contest would end immediately, and you would disappear. Maldor would inevitably get involved. You, Rachel, me, Tedril—we’d all be slain. Along with many, if not all, of those who heard your words at court. While eliminating some of my old enemies, such an outburst would only hasten the downfall of Trensicourt.”

“Then I probably shouldn’t mention that I’m a Beyonder, either,” Jason said.

“Not unless you fancy instantaneous imprisonment,” Nicholas agreed. “You understand the parameters. My best efforts to topple Copernum failed, and the one time I advised another challenger, he failed as well. How you defeat Copernum is up to you.”

“Can’t I help him?” Rachel asked.

“If you have ideas, share them now,” Nicholas said. “Jason should never contact me again, and you should avoid him as well until his business in Trensicourt is through.”

“Remember any outstanding riddles?” Jason asked.

Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know. The more you take away from me, the bigger I become.”

“A hole,” Nicholas said. “We have a similar riddle here.”

Rachel scrunched her brow. “Twins stand at a fork in the road. One always tells the truth; the other always lies. One road leads to prosperity, the other to destruction. You can only ask one question to one of the twins. What question do you ask to find the right road?”

“I think I’ve heard this one,” Jason said. “I can’t remember the answer.”

Nicholas stared down, lips moving without making a sound. Then he cleared his throat. “I ask either man which road his brother would tell me will lead to prosperity; then I take the opposite road.”

“You know that one?” Rachel asked.

“No, I used reason,” Nicholas said. “A riddle like this is not a bad idea, but Copernum is better at reasoning than I am. No matter what tactics you use, it will be difficult to flummox him.”

“If I fail, all I lose is my title?” Jason asked.

Nicholas shrugged. “And your life, unless you hurry away from Trensicourt. For a newcomer who has defied Copernum, to remain in Trensicourt after failure would be fatal. He will want to make an example of you. Of course, after success your life will be almost equally endangered.”

“And even if I beat him,” Jason said, “Copernum only loses the office of chancellor.”

“He’ll maintain all other privileges and titles,” Nicholas confirmed. “And after three months he will have the right to challenge you as you challenged him.”

“I have more riddles,” Rachel volunteered.

She rattled off several, and Nicholas answered all of them. Jason could not have guessed the answer to most of them, and he began to lose faith that he could possibly succeed where Nicholas and others had failed.

When Rachel ran out of riddles, Jason cleared his throat. “Could I speak with Rachel in private for a moment?”

“By all means,” Nicholas said. Tugging on a pair of straps, he glided away on his track to a far corner of the room.

Rachel leaned her head close to Jason. “What do you think?” she whispered.

“I think we’ll never get another chance like this,” Jason replied quietly. “With the money and advice from Nicholas I’ll have a real chance of challenging Copernum.”

“But can you beat him?”

“I’ll never know unless I try. If I can get inside the lorevault, we’ll have half the syllables. You gave me some good riddles. And I’ll think hard between now and when I issue the challenge. Do you mind splitting up?”

“No. If all else fails, we’ll meet up where Ferrin suggested, at the Stumbling Stag.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

CHAPTER 14

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Not far down the broad avenue from the castle gates, the Upturned Goblet rose five stories tall, the massive stone structure receding from the street with each level to accommodate terraced balconies. Ornamental battlements and a trio of proud flagpoles crowned the building. A great paved hallway opened onto the street, enabling carriages to access a sheltered entrance.

With twilight fading, Jason entered and crossed a plush foyer to an ornate door on the far side. His new clothes felt too silky, but they fit him well. He tried to carry himself with confidence, as if certain he belonged here. A short man in a well-tailored outfit stood before a burly guard wearing a sword. “And who might you be, sir?” the short man inquired politely.

“I am Lord Jason of Caberton.”

The man examined Jason suspiciously for a moment, eyes roving up and down. He seemed reluctantly satisfied.

The short man escorted Jason into an elegant common room, where richly dressed patrons dined on fine plates and drank from stemware. He led Jason to where a swarthy man with his hair slicked back stood conversing with an older couple seated before plates of half-eaten fish.

“Master Tedril, may I introduce Lord Jason of Caberton,” the short man announced, interrupting the conversation.

“Lord Jason,” greeted Tedril, making a much more obvious inspection of Jason’s apparel than the short man had, “a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He nodded at the short man, who scurried away. Then Tedril turned to the dining couple. “If you will excuse me.”

“By all means,” the seated man said.

“This way.” Tedril led Jason out of the common room and into a cozy office with a fruitwood desk and three wingback armchairs. Thick maroon carpeting covered the floor.

Tedril motioned for Jason to take a seat.

“I was unaware that anyone held the title of Caberton,” Tedril said casually.

“I gained the title in the wilderness,” Jason said, trying his best to sound sophisticated. The ring was on his finger, but to avoid seeming desperate or defensive, Jason made no motion to call attention to it.

“I see. How novel. A stranger to Trensicourt suddenly ranks among our nobility.”

“My parents are not strangers to Trensicourt,” Jason lied, his voice resolute.

Tedril held his eyes, weighing him. “The regent has recognized your claim?”