by K. M. Shea
Snow White shook her head. “I-I must disagree. Though I haven’t yet had the chance to meet him, I am certain Prince Severin of Loire will be better able to help strategize against the Chosen than I. But Mullberg is willing to offer any aid we can in the meantime w-while the Conclave adjusts to this terrible situation.”
“Thank you for your gracious offer, but I’m afraid at the moment, what we need most is a way to make certain we’re not housing any more Chosen.” Clovicus leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Right now, everyone is jumpy and suspicious. We’re one tense moment away from an internal fight with no evidence of who the actual enemy is.”
“Is there a way you can determine on an individual basis if a person is a black mage or not?” Snow White asked, her eyes large and round.
“The surest and easiest route is to use Verglas,” Evariste said. “The Snow Queen’s magic still stands, and it won’t let any user of black magic through Verglas’ borders.”
“I see.” Snow White leaned back in her chair with the air of royalty, her shyness melting under the danger of the broken Conclave.
“Getting all of us to the borders would be a logistical nightmare.” Clovicus frowned. “We can’t leave the Conclave unguarded, either. We’d have to take shifts.”
Angelique curled her hands into fists. “Time is of the essence. We’ve already lost so much because we’ve just sat around.”
“I hear you, and I agree,” Clovicus said. “But short of zapping the lot of them with lightning, I don’t know how you’ll get the other mages to move at anything more than an amble.”
“The Chosen have backed us into a corner,” Sybilla wryly said. “Angelique might have caught them off guard and scared them out, but even transportation is more of a nightmare because of their work. If Evariste’s magic wasn’t sealed, he could take us all one-by-one to Verglas. But that obviously won’t happen.”
Fritz stirred from his silence. “You have not found a way to unseal your magic, yet, Lord Enchanter?”
“No.” Evariste stared at the ground. “We’ll have to find another way. Is there a spell of some kind that could be used to indicate if there is black magic present?”
“Possibly. Or at least one existed once upon a time.” Clovicus rubbed his chin. “Mages had developed some pretty sophisticated, high-level spells for that sort of thing, but much of it was lost when the Veneno Conclave library burned. We might be able to find something, but it will take a lot of searching through our records.”
Snow White furrowed her brow, creating deep wrinkles as she thought. She pressed her fingertips together, then glanced up at Fritz.
The forester slightly tipped his head, then gave her a half-smile. “It’s your prerogative,” he said. “Faina said as much when you suggested the idea back in Juwel.”
What is that supposed to mean?
Before Angelique could ponder it much, Snow White twisted awkwardly to squeeze Fritz’s hand, and when she faced the mages, it was with a set expression.
Oh-ho-ho. The strategist has arrived and intends to set things right. Angelique grinned and glanced at Evariste. He raised an eyebrow at her, and for a moment Angelique was so glad to have him there that she gave into her weak desire and actually leaned her shoulder against his.
“We can create a way to determine—swiftly and with great certainty—if a mage is with you or not,” Snow White said. “No one is going to like it, but it will be what’s best for mages—and the continent.”
“If no one is happy, that sounds like my kind of plan,” Clovicus said.
Evariste shot his old master a look, then turned his attention to Snow White and Fritz. He smiled—revealing just how much he must like them, as it was one of his genuine ones. “Personal comfort is a commodity we can’t afford right now. As long as the sacrifice doesn’t cost us life or blood, we’ll do whatever it takes.”
Snow White released Fritz’s hand and walked up to Angelique. She had to tilt her head back to peer up at Angelique as the enchantress was so much taller. “Do you believe in me?”
Angelique laughed. “Snow White, I know you can do anything.”
Snow White smiled, but the trembling of her hands and the shakiness of her breath testified to how little she looked forward to this. “Then let’s go propose the solution.”
There was something about the way she acted that made Angelique suspect this “solution” was going to test Snow White in some way.
She’s too nervous considering this is our problem and shouldn’t directly involve her.
Angelique touched Snow White’s elbow. “Is everything okay?”
Snow White pressed her lips together and nodded, very obviously building her own resolve. “Yes. Everything will be fine.”
Felicienne frowned. “What do you mean ‘propose the solution’? Just tell us what you have planned.”
Snow White shook her head.
“You must tell us, it is our prerogative to refuse whatever you have planned,” Tristisim said.
“Not in this case,” Snow White said simply.
Tristisim grumbled.
Felicienne stood up. “I object—”
Angelique ignored their squawks and peeled back the tent flap, intending to tell Javed to gather the mages in the central square, but she froze when Evariste spoke.
“I don’t care if you object.” His voice was icy—more frigid than a Verglas winter.
Angelique turned on her heels and watched wide-eyed as Evariste prowled closer to the two remaining Council Members.
“Do neither of you understand just how horribly you have botched things? All of your comrades were Chosen mages and manipulated you for their purposes. As far as I’m concerned, you have no place on the Council—and that’s only from an ethical standpoint. Personally, I can barely stand to look at you.”
Felicienne weakly slumped back in her chair under the venomous look in Evariste’s blue and green eyes. “But, why—”
“You dare to ask me why?” Evariste snarled. “After everything you have done to Angelique? Clovicus should have let the war mages take you into custody as they wanted.”
What? That was certainly news to Angelique—though by this point, her eyes were already so wide, she belatedly wondered if they were going to pop from her skull.
Evariste looked back and forth between the two Council Members. “Angelique has saved us all, and you have done nothing except harass her. You, who have only been a drain, carry on as if this is all a minor inconvenience and things will soon be fine. Let me be clear: Things won’t be fine until the Chosen are defeated—something the two of you are too weak to do.”
Tristisim cleared his throat. “Perhaps there is truth in your words. But this is something that should be said privately, Evariste.” He glanced pointedly at Snow White and Fritz, who were watching with expectant expressions.
A short bark of laughter escaped Evariste. “Privately? As if Snow White and Fritz don’t know how horribly you’ve handled things when they’ve been called here to help us because you failed as leaders? Lord Enchanter Tristisim, it is far too late for that. The entire continent knows what happened—they’ve known for years.”
A muscle jumped in Tristisim’s jaw, but he stared at his hands and said nothing more.
Felicienne turned to Sybilla and Clovicus and appealingly held out her hand to them.
Clovicus openly clapped. “Bravo—well stated!”
Sybilla looked a little bored. When she caught Felicienne’s appealing gaze, she snorted. “Well? What do you expect me to do? He’s right. Even Finnr is feeling mighty sheepish about his treatment of Angelique right now, or he’d be sticking his big, twice-broken nose into this mess. You should learn from his example.”
Angelique chuckled at the description. I’d been wondering why we haven’t seen Finnr.
Evariste rolled his shoulders back and flicked his sharp gaze from Tristisim to Felicienne. “The two of you should thank the stars I don’t have my magic right now,” he said, “
or I’d pay you back all the misery you heaped upon Angelique in my absence.”
Clovicus glanced worriedly at Evariste, but Sybilla didn’t even bat an eye.
Angelique didn’t know quite what to think.
A part of her was vindicated—Yes! Finally someone understands all that I have been through!
But another part of her was nearly as shocked as the two Council members.
Evariste—Evariste—was outright threatening Council Members?
That’s not to say it isn’t warranted—they’ve been regular fools and markedly unhelpful since the Chosen were revealed. But…I never thought Evariste would kick up such a fuss. He’s too…diplomatic? Optimistic? Naïve?
The last word made Angelique wince, but throughout her apprenticeship, Evariste had been stupidly optimistic on a number of occasions, and Angelique assumed it stemmed from the fact that he was so brilliant—to the point where he shone so brightly, he didn’t even see shadows.
It seems I was wrong. Evariste fully understands. And even after his years of imprisonment, he’s still not afraid to stand against the darkness.
Angelique studied the Lord Enchanter as he strode across the tent, joining her at the opening. He tilted his head curiously as she gaped at him, the tent flap clutched in her fist.
Has he always been this fearless, and I was just too blind to see?
“Angel?” Evariste asked.
Angelique shook her head and slapped on a smile. “Sorry. I’ll be a moment, Snow White. We’ll gather all the mages.” She winked at her friend then ducked through the door, stepping through the sound barrier and shield. “Javed, if I may borrow you for a moment? We need to gather up all the mages not on guard duty for an announcement.”
It wasn’t until the late afternoon that Angelique and the war mages were able to successfully bring the remaining mages to the immense courtyard that stretched out in front of the fortress that used to be the Conclave.
The building was still standing, but all operations had been moved to other buildings due to worries of listening spells, charms, and traps. Angelique studied the building—and the school in the adjoining structure—with a frown.
The sad thing is we have found listening spells and the like. It isn’t safe to work in—especially since Evariste’s portal collapsed. There’s a real possibility black magic is hidden somewhere within it—or the school.
Clovicus, as if he could read her thoughts, squinted up at the beautiful building. “I still don’t like that we’re holding this meeting so close to this building.” The sun was starting to sink on the horizon, casting a golden haze over everything, which made his red hair more of a golden color.
Sybilla plucked at the puffy sleeves of her powder-blue dress. “There are several grandmaster war mages on standby casting defense spells to keep anyone from overhearing.” She glanced at Angelique and smiled. “Besides…something tells me the Princess’s idea means we won’t be here long.”
Clovicus frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Sybilla laughed airily. “Nothing!”
Angelique turned around, and her heart raced in her throat when she realized Evariste wasn’t at her back as he’d been a minute ago.
“Evariste?” There was panic in her voice, but she didn’t care who heard it. “Evariste?”
“I’m right here, Angel.”
A warm hand took hers, tugging Angelique around to the front.
Her shoulders drooped with relief when she saw Evariste rubbing her hand. “Sorry,” she muttered in embarrassment. “It’s just…I…”
Evariste leaned slightly over her, stopping when their foreheads nearly brushed. “I understand. And you have no idea how much I appreciate it.” He smiled—a real one that made his eyes crinkle and seemed to burn from his soul outward.
His smile is coming faster and easier. We’re in a terrible spot, but he’s doing better.
Angelique returned the grin, probably looking like an idiot. But if Evariste wasn’t going to fuss about her panic, she was content to let him placate her.
Clovicus’ face appeared about a hand’s-width away, and he shifted his gaze from Angelique to Evariste. “Time makes the heart grow fonder, hmm?”
Evariste straightened up and raised an eyebrow at the Lord Enchanter. “What do you want?”
“Testy, are we? I wouldn’t have to interrupt your little moments if you had them in more appropriate places—like not on a veranda in front of the majority of mages waiting to hear about their impending future, hmmm?” Clovicus nudged Evariste. “But, as it is, you did. So scoot down. There’s not much room here, and Princess Snow White is about to arrive to make her announcement.”
Evariste—still holding Angelique’s hand—moved farther down the veranda. When Clovicus moved to step between them, Evariste let go of Angelique, then bodily steered Clovicus so he stood on Angelique’s other side, and they were lined up in a neat row.
“Hm. Cheeky,” Clovicus said.
Angelique tried to shift so she wasn’t crowding Evariste quite so much, but the veranda—which was more of a balcony—didn’t provide much space, so she settled in with her arm brushing his. “I don’t understand what that was about,” she said to Lord Enchanter Clovicus.
“That’s because you have too much logic and reason,” Clovicus said.
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t be—it’s hilarious. Though I suppose by the end of it, I will feel sorry for him.” Clovicus winked, then turned to speak to Sybilla on his other side.
Feeling bewildered, Angelique shifted her gaze to Evariste.
“Ignore him,” Evariste said. “He’s getting old and senile.”
Sybilla sharply elbowed Clovicus for something he said before she stepped up to the edge of the balcony. She held a jewel that seemed to have a charm from a craftmage cast on it, cleared her throat, and then spoke in a booming voice that was a great deal louder than usual. “Thank you for attending this gathering. In light of recent events, it’s been made obvious to us that we require a method to make certain that those of us here are indeed loyal to the true vow of the Veneno Conclave—to protect people from the misuse of magic. Princess Snow White has stepped in to help us with this process.”
Sybilla gestured to the princess.
Snow White licked her lips and clenched her hands so they were white with strain.
Concerned, Angelique glanced out at the mages packing the courtyard. She doesn’t like talking in front of people. A crowd like this…
The soft tap of slippers on stone made Angelique rip her gaze back to Snow White, who crossed the balcony and came to a stop in front of her.
Snow White peered up at Angelique, her blue eyes glazed with fear. Her chin trembled for a moment before she nodded. “I value your friendship, Angel,” she said. “And I’ll help you. No matter the price.”
There was something so heartfelt about the words that Angelique had to bite her lip to keep her eyes from getting glassy with tears. She gave Snow White a jerky nod, but before she could say anything back, the Mullberg princess turned around to address the crowd. She rested her hands on the stone banister, her fingers visibly shaking.
“M-mages,” she said, her voice quiet.
Sybilla tapped the gem to Snow White’s throat.
Snow White coughed, then tried again. “G-good afternoon….m-mages.” She fell silent and stared at the banister.
The magic users crowded into the courtyard were quiet. Only the odd cough or rustle of a cloak broke the silence.
“It is our sorrow that…” Snow White opened her mouth but nothing came out. She stubbornly shook her head. “I-I regret the p-poor circumstances t-that have brought m-me here. B-but I will do whatever n-necessary to help.”
Snow White sucked in a deep breath, and Angelique noticed with great interest when Snow White’s hands stopped trembling, and she planted them flat on the banister.
“W-which is why,” Snow White raised her chin, staring out at the crowd with blu
e eyes that were not ablaze with fear but rather with daring determination, “I’m announcing the e-end of the centuries-long agreement the Veneno Conclave h-has had with the royal family of Mullberg.”
The courtyard was no longer silent, but awash with whispers and muffled exclamations of surprise.
“While m-mages will be welcomed in Mullberg, the Veneno Conclave can no longer be allowed to r-remain in these lands.”
Chapter 39
Angelique gaped at Snow White in shock, her eyes growing wider when the princess sucked in another deep breath of air.
“W-we are obviously not equipped to be the p-perfect home for the Conclave. It is our shortcoming. I-in honor of the relationship between M-Mullberg and the Conclave, the Mullberg Army w-will help the Veneno Conclave move to their new home. In Verglas.”
Verglas…where no black mage can go, or they’ll be killed by the Snow Queen’s magic. If any Chosen are still among our ranks, they’ll be flushed out immediately.
“HAHA!” Angelique outright laughed as more noises of discontent stirred in the crowd.
Snow White twisted to peer over her shoulder and grin back at Angelique.
I should have known Snow White would have a brilliant plan! She has wisdom beyond her years! Angelique bowed to her, and Snow White blushed a little.
If the Veneno Conclave set up shop in Verglas—which was considered the birth place of the Conclave as the Snow Queen had, in a way, founded it—no Chosen mage would be able to cross the border to join them.
Moreover, it meant they’d be free from Chosen meddling—black magic wouldn’t survive in a land where the Snow Queen’s magic literally impaled it and guarded against it.
“T-the move will b-begin immediately,” Snow White said in a firm but hardened voice. “The Mullberg army will happily escort all mages to Verglas. I have already sent word to King Toril and Queen Linnea of Verglas to expect you. They are preparing quarters for you as we speak. G-given the fast timeline, additional Mullberg forces will be s-sent here as reinforcements to bring the b-belongings that cannot be carried, such as the b-books and important documents from the library.”