Chapter 27

The trial of Kellen and the other fairies occupied everyone’s mind. Naturally, Jacob was called to give evidence. King Utrin and a small entourage of essential personnel were allowed through the energy barrier to observe the proceedings, although Utrin as reigning monarch of Fairy Land was not required to take the stand. He was, though, briefly reunited with his daughter, Princess Arienna. During that time he was finally satisfied that she truly was in love with Prince Arrok and had stayed with him of her own free will. He conceded he’d made a grave mistake in ordering the fairies to break through the energy barrier to kidnap her. He even apologised to Jacob for all the distress he’d caused him, though it was a short and rather unconvincing apology.

“Still,” said Robert, “better than nothing. It must have taken a lot for a king to apologise to a lowly human.” He laughed.

Jacob agreed. “I suppose so.”