Luckily, since the moment of magical recognition had been on the psychic level and taken almost no time at all, neither king nor court had been aware of it. Egbert, Ardagh realized, was making some polite conversation about, fortunately, nothing much. The prince answered with similar trivialities, all the while feeling the sorcerer's Power still tingling against his own and wondering. It was true that Queen Eithne bore a touch of innate magic, but only a touch. Here . . . granted, this was still relatively weak Power, weaker by far than anything to be found in the Sidhe Realm—but that it should be found at all in one of the human kind— Ae, he was letting his mind wander again. King Egbert was inviting him to dinner. Ardagh once again forced his concentration full back to the king and dipped his head in courteous acceptance. A dinner that includes the sorcerer? That shall be . . . interesting. Who is he? Someone of importance, judging from his proximity to the throne. Egbert's pet advisor?
