Definitely my top theory as well. I think they’ve been behind both attacks since I’ve been with Griffin. They have the money to buy mercenaries. And having Hoi Polloi on the throne next door is practically an invitation to invade. But we thwarted them when they sent the Giant after Griffin, and we beat them again at Ios. Unfortunately, officially blaming the Tarvan royals is also more or less a declaration of war, so it’s best to avoid that—for now.
“A few men and one woman massacred every last Tarvan sent to Ios to kill the new Sintan royals,” Urania continues. “That doesn’t happen unless there’s a lot more to them than we know.”
“Makes me wonder what else they’ve got up their sleeves,” Agatone says, looking to where Griffin, Piers, and Egeria seem to be regaling a group of people with a story we’re too far away to hear. Agatone’s voice conveys curiosity, and maybe even respect. The biting, jealous, condescending tones I’ve been hearing around the room are absent here in this corner where I imagined they’d be the worst.
“Everyone knows there was a great flash of lightning and then a deafening clap of thunder over Ios after the battle,” Oreste adds. “What if Zeus got involved to keep Beta Sinta alive?”
My mouth drops open in shock. In the haze and fatigue, that flash, the boom, that great, terrible voice in my head that I’d never heard before and didn’t recognize… It all got lost in the pleats of my memory, all those days without consciousness or thought. Zeus. It was Zeus!
Urania’s almost-clear green eyes narrow. “Gods. Powerful magic. There are things at play here. Things we should land on the right side of if we value our lives.” Truth.
“But Gods backing Hoi Polloi?” Oreste asks, seeming more surprised and interested than inherently bothered by the notion.
“It’s not impossible. Don’t forget, they have the mysterious Magoi woman already,” his father reminds him. “Fisan, I heard, which is something in itself. She must see something in them, or at least in Beta Sinta. And never underestimate Hoi Polloi when they decide to fight for something they want. They may be mongrels, but mongrels can be vicious.”
Griffin? A mongrel? And I was starting to like these people. They didn’t fry me once with lies to each other during their whole conversation.
“Sinta will be stronger with all these projects for new roads, schools, and healing centers. Not to mention a growing and loyal Hoi Polloi army, and royals who actually care about defending the realm and not just about themselves.” Urania’s eyes stray to Griffin. Everyone is looking at Griffin. All the time. He’s that magnetic. “Just look at him. This Power Bid won’t be like any other. Maybe Tarva should be worried about Sinta this time, and not the other way around.”
I shift uncomfortably in my sandals. All this talk of invasion, whichever way around, makes me feel like I’m about to pop out with hives.
“And Fisa?” Oreste asks.
Both his parents shrug. Then Agatone says, “Alpha Fisa is a viper. She’ll only strike if you get too close.”
They’ve secluded themselves for too long already, and sensing curious looks from the other guests, the family moves back into the main part of the room. I very much doubt they’ll say anything of interest to the other nobles, at least not tonight, so I leave and come back without turning invisible this time, having already heard enough.
Griffin spots me almost immediately and brings me to Jocasta, handing me a glass of chilled wine. As the three of us circulate, they introduce me as Jocasta’s friend, but from the way Griffin keeps a possessive hand on my lower back, it’s clear I’m more. At Griffin’s side, I draw more attention than I’ve ever wanted, and whispers of “Fisan” and “Magoi” and “power” blanket the air, suffocating me.
After a while, Griffin maneuvers me into an alcove much like the one I was in earlier and leans close to my ear. “Have you picked up anything about Ios?”
I nod, accidentally sending shooting pains through my aching head. “Confirmation of what we already thought. It’s probably the Tarvan royals who sent that tribe to attack.”
Griffin looks back up. “Who thinks that?”
I shift my gaze to the right. “Most notably, the white-haired Water Mage over there, Agatone, and his wife, Urania. She’s the snake charmer.”
“And poison master.”
I nod just a little this time. Griffin’s studying is paying off.
“They’re intrigued. And impressed. They didn’t say it in so many words, but if the Power Bid heats up, I think you have their support.”