Act IV: Wizards, Dragons, and Empire

But this could only be called suspicion, not evidence. Since Mangrove had been willing to risk coming here, he must have had real evidence in hand. Brando thought this, then continued, "And then?"

"One week ago, the Cruzian delegation arrived in Eluin," Veronica replied.

"What do you mean?" Brando frowned. This was hardly news. One of the Cruzian Legion Commanders, the First Prince and heir to the throne, had mysteriously disappeared in the explosion. The Cruzian people naturally had to send a delegation to investigate. It would have been strange if they had not. He did not know why Veronica was making an issue of this, and he looked at her suspiciously.

"On the surface, that is true." Mangrove put down his pipe and answered leisurely, "But the problem is that there is one unnecessary person in the delegation."

"An unnecessary person?"

"His name is Donas Bernie. He is Her Majesty's secret envoy. We learned before he left the empire that he had come to Eluin to confirm the First Prince's death."

Brando suddenly understood. In other words, someone really wanted to confirm that the First Prince was dead, and that person was very likely the Silver Queen, since Viscount Bernie was one of her confidants. But he remained cautious. The succession was no small matter, especially for an empire. He glanced at the two people before him, thought it over carefully, and continued, "A single piece of evidence proves nothing. This person's appearance only demonstrates one possibility. After all, the succession to the throne is no small matter to an empire. Sending someone to confirm the heir's death is perfectly reasonable."

Veronica glanced at Mangrove before replying, "That is true. But we have another witness."

"Who?" Brando was startled. *They couldn't have kidnapped someone from the delegation and brought