“I say!” The woman—who had to be a representative of King Dirth given the royal emblem emblazoned on her satchel—adjusted the glasses perched at the end of her nose and scowled. “I beg your pardon…” She trailed off as she looked Angelique up and down from head to toe. “Lady Enchantress Angelique?”
Angelique forced a smile. “Correct—a very good guess.”
The woman’s face shifted from fussy to delighted. “Not at all—King Dirth personally gave me your description! Since receiving reports that you were staying with the elves, he was hoping I might see you!” She unbuttoned her satchel and started pawing through her papers as rocks started to fill Angelique’s belly.
Oh, no.
“He has several requests that you might see to whilst you’re in the country,” the official continued. “Foremost, he asks that you visit him at Navia so he might explain those requests in greater detail.”
Angelique gripped the top layer of her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. No, no, no! I’m finally free—I finally get the chance to go search Mullberg for Evariste, not play solo mage for the continent again!
Oblivious to Angelique’s swelling emotions, the official rattled on. “But in short, we require assistance with an outbreak of wraiths, trolls, and goblins—though it seems like those have mostly been handled.”
Angelique tried to swallow, but her throat felt like someone was squeezing it so tightly she could barely breathe.
“The King also requests a thorough investigation into the curse, naturally,” the official continued. “And he requires—”
“I’m afraid I must behave most rudely and intrude upon this conversation, but it must be said that the Lady Enchantress will be unable to help because she has tasks to see to outside of Farset that are extremely pressing.”
Angelique and the official turned together to the delightful, wonderful, and most under-appreciated Lady Alastryn, who had just elevated herself to a saint-like status in Angelique’s mind.
The elven lady—who looked beautiful and perfect with not a strand of hair out of place or wrinkle to be seen, even though Angelique suspected she hadn’t slept since the elves curse had broken—smiled demurely and clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
“But it is for the best, for now that we elves are free from our woods, it is our honor and our duty to partner with King Dirth to end the monsters that plague our neighbors,” Lady Alastryn said. “And while Angelique is unavailable, it is my understanding that several other mages are working with Prince Severin of Loire. Once a message is sent, perhaps one of them would be willing to help.”
Bless the elves. I repent for every mean thought I’ve had about them. Emerys might not be willing to help me search for Evariste, but if he’ll cover for me so I can actually search, it would mean the world to me.
The tightness in Angelique’s chest loosened, and she released the breath she’d been holding.
“Wouldn’t you agree, Lady Enchantress, that a mage would love to aid us?” Lady Alastryn’s perfect forehead wrinkled in concern as she glanced at Angelique.
Angelique laughed a little in her relief. “Yes, of course! A number of mages were going to report in to Prince Severin once they cleared their schedules—including Mage Finnr, who is a Grandmaster Mage of ice and snow! He is exceptionally strong and would have no trouble disposing of trolls, goblins, and the like.”
Angelique couldn’t help the slightly vicious edge to her smile.
Mage Finnr had been rude at best, and eager to chuck Angelique into battle on her own at worst. He regularly pivoted between scolding Angelique for using her magic without supervision and sending her off against the likes of a wyvern alone because “her magic was made for it.”
Though perhaps I least like him for suggesting Evariste has died and that my search is in vain. Regardless, it does my soul some good to think he will finally be forced to stop judging me and actually help with this mess for once.
The Farset official bobbed—a giant smile brightening her countenance. “Splendid! Naturally the royal family would love to work with the elves on this matter, and the help of any mage would do if the Lady Enchantress has prior obligations to see to—which is most understandable!”
“Indeed,” Lady Alastryn said. “In fact, I believe there is a need for her right now. Quinn—the hero who broke our curse and, as a result, the princesses’ curse—has been awake for some hours now. I was on my way to see if the Lady Enchantress could cast any additional healing spells?”
Recognizing the offered exit, Angelique tipped her head slightly. “Yes, of course. I shall check in on her this very moment. Thank you.”
She hurried off, walking faster than was polite and not caring one bit as she marched across the massive chamber, passing under the branches of several trees that still bore bright green leaves.
The atrium was one of the most gorgeous feats of architecture on the continent with its massive, arched, glass-glazed roof that stretched so high the elves grew full sized trees in the indoor space, and flowers bloomed in it year-round, giving the palace a woody and floral scent.
Angelique almost tripped on a box of gardening tools—elven made, so of course they were inlaid with glittering gems and the crate that held them was made of white wood and was held together by elaborate iron work around the edges—when she popped out on the other side of the green expanse and continued her storm to Emerys’ room.
The King’s bedroom was easy to find—it was the only room in the royal wing that contained a double-arched doorway. Angelique wrapped her knuckles on the wooden door’s polished surface but swung it open without waiting for permission to enter.
She poked her head inside to see Quinn sitting up in the enormous bed, with a young lady sitting in a chair pulled up to her bed.
“Lady Enchantress Angelique, good evening.” Quinn smiled brightly as her companion popped to her feet and bowed.
Angelique did a double-take between the pair for a moment—Quinn’s friend possessed the same blond hair, quick smile, and had a marked resemblance in the chin and nose to the soldier, though she was markedly shorter.
“Hello. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?” Angelique hovered in the doorway, unsure if she should enter or leave.
“Not at all,” Quinn’s friend said. “I’m actually glad I have this chance to speak with you. Thank you for healing my sister—you saved her life.” She bowed a second time to Angelique, and the smile she wore looked a tiny bit watery, but happy.
“I don’t know that things were that dire, but I’m glad I could help.” Angelique closed the door behind her before coming to stand at the foot of the bed.
Quinn struggled to sit up taller and pushed pillows out of her way. “Lady Enchantress Angelique, please allow me to introduce my little sister—Bridget. She’s the Red Rider.”
Dimly, Angelique recalled that the Farset royal family had magicus mounts—colored horses given to them by the elves as a symbol of their co-mingling of Farset. Each color of horse represented something different of the royal family’s power, and the herds were said to allow only one rider to claim them at a time.
If I remember correctly, the Red Rider is the warrior out of the magicus mounts. It seems bravery runs in the family.