Trial of Magic

by K. M. Shea

  Wendal adjusted his spectacles. “I agree this seems like a possibility. But only if you know for certain the mirror is an ancient artifact.”

  “I don’t know how many artifacts exist, so I cannot say for sure,” Snow White nibbled on her lip. “But the more I think it over, the more I am certain the mirror is somehow involved. Before I left Glitzern, when she nearly hurt me, I saw her talk to the mirror—not to her reflection in the mirror, but to the mirror itself.” Snow White pinched her eyes shut. “I think she even asked it a question.”

  The Seven Warriors looked thoughtful, and Angelique knew she could let it go—they believed enough in Snow White to act upon it.

  But Snow White deserves to know she’s right. I may not be entirely correct that Evariste was moved into the Snow Queen’s mirror, and that it is that particular mirror behind all of this, but she’s right. This is not the work of a black mage.

  Angelique took a deep breath. “It’s the mirror.”

  Snow White blinked. “How do you know?”

  Angelique tossed the starfire she’d been holding since she and Fritz first inspected Snow White on top of her satchel to buy her time while she thought.

  I wish she had not asked that. How much do I tell her? How much time do we have—particularly if we want to attack Faina and capture the mirror before the Chosen get wind of our plans and swoop off with it? Especially now that Marzell informed Lord Trubsinn?

  “I can’t say if your mirror is a rare artifact or not, but after seeing the magic Faina used yesterday, I can promise with nearly absolute certainty: it is the mirror,” Angelique finally said.

  “Can you further explain that?” Gregori asked. “You didn’t know it was a mirror before Snow White brought this up.”

  Curse it—why must this group be the first band that doesn’t instantly believe what I say and ask me to fix everything?

  Angel pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes, it’s my failing. I didn’t notice the signs and connect them until Snow White brought it up. I can’t really explain it more than that, but knowing what I know, having followed a trail for years…If we can get that mirror out of Glitzern and Juwel, I am certain we can free Faina.”

  Snow White left Fritz’s protective hovering and peered outside at the sky—which was still dark with night but had the faintest blush of dawn already lightening the sky. “We should send a message to Lord Vitkovci and the others. It’s early enough we could still meet today, couldn’t we?” Snow White asked, a wide smile on her face.

  Angelique flicked her eyes at Marzell. And now all the political trouble comes home to roost.

  Marzell sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “About the other lords…we need to talk.”

  For Angelique, time passed both unbelievably slowly and so rapidly she could barely breathe.

  She wanted to march on Glitzern immediately and rip Evariste away from the Snow Queen’s mirror—if that indeed was the artifact the Chosen had planted.

  But an invasion of one wasn’t likely to work. And Angelique was determined to finally free Evariste, so she made herself remain with Snow White, who—hours after she woke up, when the world was barely pink with dawn—rode out to meet with the lords who had originally agreed to help invade Glitzern.

  Unfortunately, the lords balked and told Snow White that her grandfather, Lord Trubsinn, was scheduled to arrive that day.

  Which meant if they wanted to save Faina, they needed to march immediately, and the lords refused to do so.

  …Until Snow White’s love for her stepmother combined with her deep knowledge of her country, and she verbally ripped the lords to pieces, shyness and all. With a brilliant bit of politicking, Snow White had the lords following her commands—not Marzell’s—and doing as she ordered, which was why that afternoon, mere hours before Lord Trubsinn was estimated to arrive with his troops according to scouts, Angelique, the Seven Warriors, and the four lords/Snow White’s new henchmen discreetly infiltrated Juwel, making their way to Glitzern Palace.

  They came in waves, each making their way to specific meet-up points.

  Angelique was charged with meeting Snow White and the Seven Warriors at a side entrance of Glitzern, where Snow White would notify the palace guards and tell them to secretly give access to the four Mullberg lords and their troops.

  But before Snow White could do that, they had to escape notice on their way to the palace.

  Angelique, far more certain of her infiltration skills than she had been a few months ago, volunteered to travel by herself.

  But halfway to the palace, as she made her way up the streets of Juwel (pausing occasionally to barter for herbs and buy a bite of food), Angelique ducked up a darkened alleyway. She climbed a stone wall made of loose stones that made the climb far more exciting than she wanted and shimmied her way onto the roof of a stable attached to an inn.

  She hadn’t volunteered to go alone out of the goodness of her heart, after all.

  She’d spent the hours she didn’t listen to Snow White plotting out their invasion—the princess sounded like a compatriot of Severin’s with her ability to strategize—pondering how she was going to save Evariste.

  I don’t have the knowledge of how to break a mirror spell. And I never learned the technical side of spells used to bind enchanters or enchantresses. The last thing I want to do is reach Evariste only to find out I can’t help him.

  Which was why Angelique climbed on to the roof of the inn, squashing herself against the chimney so she wouldn’t be visible from the street.

  A quick twist of her magic cast the warding spell Puss had taught her, and then she pulled her mirror free from her satchel and activated it.

  Several long moments passed, and her chest constricted with worry.

  Is she not going to answer?

  She held her breath, and then the mirror’s surface swirled, and Sybilla’s warm, round face filled it. “Angelique? Is that you?”

  There was something about seeing Sybilla’s kind face and silver hair that made Angelique’s throat ache. “Hello, Sybilla,” she whispered.

  “Dearie, has something gone wrong?” Sybilla brought her face up close to the mirror so Angelique mostly just saw the older woman’s eyes and round nose. “Why do you look like you’re sitting in a chamber pot?”

  Angelique cracked a grin. “I’m hiding behind a chimney on an inn roof.”

  “Whatever for?” Sybilla asked bewilderedly. “I thought you were hiding in Luster Forest with the little Mullberg princess? Unless—did you find a new clue to Evariste’s whereabouts? Clovicus told me you’d confirmed he was in Juwel, and Prince Severin relayed that you meant to join Snow White in marching on Juwel to save Queen Faina, but I thought that wasn’t going to be for a little while?”

  Angelique related an abbreviated version of the previous day’s events and of the spell being placed on Snow White, as well as her suspicion that Evariste had been placed within a new mirror: the Snow Queen’s.

  “Which is why I’m wondering if you know what kind of magic or spell I’d need to use to pull Evariste out,” Angelique said. “I tried contacting Clovicus earlier today, but he didn’t pick up.”

  Sybilla made a disgusted noise as she pulled the mirror back far enough for Angelique to see a glimpse of her surroundings—not that it was particularly illuminating. There was just a yellow leather texture behind her.

  “Trust Clovicus to be off gadding around when you need him,” Sybilla said. “Though I believe he arrived in Chanceux and immediately turned around to come back to Mullberg with the hope of helping you. However, in this case, I’m not sure his smug expertise is required.”

  Angelique blinked in surprise. “It won’t be?”

  “No. You’ve got two options: either hold on to the mirror so an expert of some sort—either someone who specializes in knowledge of black magic or a master craftmage—can come fish Evariste out for you—”

  “I don’t want to count on that,” Angelique said, interrupting Sybilla. “
If he’s in the Snow Queen’s mirror, given how Faina is acting, it could negatively affect others. We need to destroy it as soon as possible, before the Chosen could attempt a recovery.”

  “A valid argument,” Sybilla said. “Which is why the second option is likely the better choice.”

  “What is that?” Angelique asked when the Fairy Godmother fell silent.

  Sybilla beamed. “You have to disrupt the mirror’s magic to pull Evariste out.”

  “How?” Angelique asked.

  Sybilla put a plump hand on her cheek. “That, unfortunately, I don’t know. But I imagine you’ll think of something when you see the mirror and can judge how its magic functions for yourself.”

  Angelique chewed on her lower lip. “But would that be safe for Evariste?”

  “You could attempt to reverse the spell that stuck him in there—that’s what an expert would do—but when it comes to ancient magical artifacts, the fastest way to combat them is to disrupt the flow of their magic. Mind you, it’s not possible for everyone.”

  “But you think I’ll be able to?”

  Sybilla released a honk of laughter that sounded like the cackle of a delighted but evil goose. “Oh, dearie. Your magic was made for disrupting the likes of the mirror. Wouldn’t you agree, Poppet?”

  Sybilla turned the mirror so fast it made Angelique’s eyes swirl, stopping when she held the mirror in front of a young lady with ink-black hair. “Yes, Sybilla,” she said.

  “Hello, Odile,” Angelique said.

  Odile smiled, looking happier than she ever had when Angelique first met her after her father, Rothbart, had died. “Greetings, Lady Enchantress!”

  “Yes, proper greetings are important on an average day, but we’ve got limited time,” Sybilla intoned—not visible on the mirror. “So share your thoughts, Poppet. Wouldn’t Angelique’s magic be useful in disrupting long-surviving and possibly evil ancient artifacts?”

  Odile thoughtfully furrowed her eyebrows. “I know when my father was performing his magical experiments, it was the disruption of magic—any outside cause that made the spell unsteady—that was the most dangerous part and the most likely to make something fail.”

  “But what is a disruption?” Angelique asked. “Striking it with lightning?”

  Odile thoughtfully tapped her chin. “I imagine that might work. But I’m not sure that would give you a large enough window of opportunity to rescue Lord Enchanter Evariste.”

  “I have such a smart student,” Sybilla declared.

  Odile blushed pink and shifted her gaze to the ground. “Not at all.”

  Angelique shifted a little so one of the rocks that made up the chimney didn’t jab her lower back quite so badly. “I see. Very well—hopefully I can think of a way to disrupt the mirror when we find it.”

  Sybilla smashed her head against Odile’s so the pair appeared together in the mirror’s reflection. “Don’t underestimate the potency of your own magic,” Sybilla suggested.

  “Yes—” Words escaped Angelique when the yellow background behind the pair shifted, and a giant red eye appeared.

  It took Angelique a moment to recognize the hulking shape of Odile’s tamed wyvern in the tiny image of the mirror. Shaking her head a little, Angelique smiled. “Thank you for your help. I should go.”

  “Oh—and just so you know, we’re in the process of journeying to Mullberg as well,” Sybilla said. “Poppet here is testing her pet’s passenger-carrying skills and stamina. I don’t think he’ll be as speedy as Pegasus, but he may surprise me. Regardless, Poppet and her pet are going to drop me off at the Veneno Conclave for a bit,” Sybilla said. “Though I don’t expect to see you there.”

  “I won’t be staying at the Conclave with Sybilla,” Odile piped in. “So perhaps, once you free Lord Enchanter Evariste, I could fly out to meet you?” Her eyes were bright and hopeful with the possibility.

  Odile would likely be gossiped about in the Conclave due to her parentage, even if they have officially recognized her apprenticeship with Sybilla. I can fully understand why she wouldn’t want to stay there.

  “In that case, I would enjoy seeing you again, Odile,” Angelique said.

  Odile beamed.

  “Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ll have a chummy time. Good luck, Angelique. Be safe.” Sybilla called before the spell sputtered out, transforming the mirror’s surface into a reflection of Angelique’s face.

  Angelique stuffed the mirror in her satchel, disassembled the tiny dampener spell, then started picking her way down the roof, trying to be as discreet as possible.

  I feel as prepared for this battle as a newly found mage student. But I’m going to free Evariste. No matter what, I’m not going to let the Chosen whisk him off. We’ll save the Queen and rescue Evariste. Or else.

  Less than an hour later, Snow White led Angelique and the Seven Warriors down the hallway.

  I’m impressed so far we haven’t run into too many problems.

  Angelique thoughtfully studied Snow White’s back—covered by her red cloak and bright red hood.

  Upon arriving at the palace, Snow White had instructed the palace guards—who had bowed instantly to her position and leadership—to send word to the rest of their compatriots so they would be aware of the secret invasion. She’d also taken Angelique and the warriors to the royal study and spoken to the castle housekeeper. Snow White asked her to move the servants out of the palace so they wouldn’t get caught up in the fighting.

  Unfortunately, a messenger from the four lords following Snow White delivered the bad news that there were constructs roaming the castle, but Snow White had been prepared for such an occasion and had given the lords and their soldiers detailed instructions on how to fight the monsters. And, as an added bonus, the palace guards joined forces with the lords and were actively fighting the constructs while Snow White, Angelique, and the Seven Warriors tore through the palace, heading to Queen Faina’s quarters where—according to the housekeeper—Faina had last been seen.

  They’d met up with one of the Lords who’d sworn to aid Snow White with about twenty of his troops before entering the royal wing.

  Now all we have to do is corner Faina in her quarters.

  Angelique glanced back at the soldiers following behind them—in a formation Snow White had ordered. (The princess had selected four warriors to secure Faina and instructed the rest to fight with the constructs that would undoubtedly be guarding the queen.)

  Angelique waved a finger at a soldier that had a well-balanced sword her magic seemed to particularly like. “How bad is it out there?” she gestured back to the main wing of the palace where they’d come from. He smelled faintly of the weird smoke the constructs left behind; he’d obviously seen the battle.

  The soldier, who wore chainmail that was scuffed and was sweating slightly from the fights he’d been in, glanced at the lord he served, who was occupied chatting with Rupert and Oswald. “I’ve never fought a creature of magic. It’s unnerving and curdles your blood.”

  Angelique grimaced. That doesn’t bode well.

  “However,” the soldier continued. “Her Highness’s instructions were right on, and we’ve been able to fight back right well. It’s a hair-raising fight, but it’s more even than I ever would have imagined—didn’t think regular folk like us could ever face down magic!”

  Angelique blinked in surprise.

  He has a point. It never occurred to me that anyone besides a mage could easily take down a spell. Goblins? Certainly. But spellwork…not so much. Have I been viewing this conflict with the Chosen all wrong?

  Angelique glanced at Snow White. She’s facing down magic—and she’s going to win, or die trying.

  Snow White’s shoulders were slightly hunched, and the hood of her red cloak was pulled up over her black hair, but her gaze was resolute as they stopped short of the door. She was a grim leader compared to the frightened princess Angelique had met in the forest what felt like months ago…

  “We’re ready to ente
r,” Marzell whispered.

  Snow White frowned at the door. “Yes, about that…”

  Oswald puffed up his chest. “You want me to kick it down?”

  “You can’t—not unless you want to break your heel,” Snow White said. “The doors are reinforced against entry.”

  Fritz ran his fingers down the doorframe. “The hinges are on the inside of the room, so we cannot remove the door from the frame.”

  “We could break through it—use a pickaxe to bust a hole through it,” Oswald suggested at a whisper.

  “That would work, but it would give away our position.” Snow White.

  Angelique watched as Lord Vitkovci and his men lined up in a battle formation behind them, preparing to swarm the room when the door was taken down—trusting that Snow White would get them inside.

  “Then what did you have in mind?” Marzell asked.

  Surprisingly, Snow White shuffled around and faced Angelique.

  “Hmmm?” When Angelique noticed Snow White staring at her, she straightened. “Wait, me? Sorry, princess, but that’s not possible.”

  Snow White’s gaze was level. “I know you can do it.”

  “I’m so pleased you believe in me.” Angelique was careful to keep her voice at a whisper, “but I have to correct you: I haven’t the kick of a donkey or horse.” She pointed to Oswald and wrinkled her nose. “Scruffy, here, has a better chance of kicking the door down.”

  Oswald sputtered hilariously, but Snow White didn’t rise to the bait.

  “You can break the door down if you use your magic,” Snow White said.

  “With my magic?” Angelique’s whisper turned into a quiet scoff. She plucked a sprig of herbs off her ever-present satchel and shook it for emphasis. “What am I supposed to do, wave some dill at it and hope the door falls in?”

  “That’s lavender,” Snow White said.

  Angelique hastily hid the plucked herb. “My magic is not going to help us here.”

  “Angel,” Snow White said.