Thrice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

as if to say,
The poor numbskull is finally getting the picture.
“I believe it would be best for our individual careers and reputations if we forged separate identities. You’d want that, wouldn’t you? Why would you want your name attached to mine, in case I were to do something stupid?”
    â€œI think you just have,” Boris said, baring his teeth.
    â€œNow, now,” Vlad said soothingly. “Let’s be sensible. By tomorrow we’ll be wealthy men again, ready to begin anew after years of humiliation and disgrace. You have to admit that our prospects in this kingdom are finished. We have to move on. And our possibilities are greater as individuals than as a team.”
    â€œI don’t know what makes you say that. We have a reputation as a team.”
    â€œAnd what makes you think that? Isn’t it just as logical that we have two different reputations?”
    â€œHey!” Emlyn interrupted. “Boris! Can’t you get that he doesn’t want to work with you anymore? When somebody doesn’t want you, arguing with him is not going to change his mind. Believe me, I know. It’s the same with boyfriends.”
    Boris looked at the floor, his brow furrowed. “I’ve never had to look for a job before. I just followed in my father’s torturing footsteps. I don’t know how to do it.”
    â€œThink of it as a learning opportunity, then.” Vlad sprang from his chair and paced briskly. “It’s important, I believe, to keep our minds agile and flexible by providing them with new experiences. Approach this occasion with optimism. With enthusiasm. With zest!”
    Boris’s head lowered further between his hunched shoulders. “Right. Zest.”
    â€œOh, for the love of—” Emlyn began. “What kind of a pantywaist have I gotten mixed up with? I thought you guys were pros.”
    â€œWe are, we are,” Vlad insisted. “By tomorrow, when we collect those two million ducats, you’ll know that for sure. And we’ll all feel better about moving on with our lives. You’ll see. And you, Emlyn—what are your future plans?”
    â€œHow many families do you think would want to hire me after it’s apparent that I can’t get a reference from my previous employer?”
    â€œHave you never heard of forged references?” Vlad asked silkily.
    â€œWhat a great idea!” Emlyn exclaimed. “Why, that way I can be the best employee they ever heard of. I’ll be in demand!”
    â€œNow you’re talking,” Vlad said, pleased. “That’s the kind of initiative I like to see. Boris? Are you paying attention? You could take a lesson from this girl. Nobody’s as interested in your future potential as you are. Nobody else will work as hard to see that you get ahead. Are you getting the picture?”
    Miserably, Boris nodded.
    â€œSheesh!” Emlyn exclaimed, and left the room.
    Â 
    Christian set off with Sebastian, Phoebe, Wendell (you never knew when you might need a wizard), Hannibal (where Wendell went, Hannibal went, too), Rollo, and three of the guards who had been with Rollo when they found Vlad’s residence. They rode through the forest, the only sound that of their mounts’ hooves crushing the leaves and twigs on the ground. Hannibal’s big feet just made bigger crushing sounds.
    As they approached the vicinity of the dragon’s lair, the elephant slowed down and turned his head, his huge ears stretched out like sails, as if trying to catch the slightest sound coming from the lair. Perhaps he did, because he came to a complete stop and lifted his trunk, sniffing.
    Christian felt as if his own ears, too, were stretched, listening for some sound indicating Marigold’s presence. He halted the procession and waited. He had come to believe that Hannibal sensed things that humans did not, and he didn’t want to interfere. He also didn’t want to