by J. D. Wright
“What I don’t understand,” Rowan said, “is that Taten is to our east. Labara to our west. Both kingdoms attacked with the same type of fire. Junacave is in between. Why weren’t we attacked?”
“The Sabras were also attacked by the same magical fire,” Sir Nicholas added. “How would anyone in Sire know about them or their encampment?”
“That is a good question, actually,” Bree said.
“Since, as far as I am aware, we are the only kingdom to have relations with the Sabras, I do believe the attack on them was a personal blow, aimed at us,” Dagan said. “From whoever sent it…”
“But if it is Sire and this is some sort of retaliation by Queen Vallica, why would she waste time and magic on attacking Taten and Labara? And why does she feel the need to attack anyone in the first place? Her husband is dead. She has control of the kingdom. What more could she want?” Bree simply couldn’t understand.
The men around her continued to argue their points as to why Sire could be the only kingdom responsible. Bree could understand their reasoning, but she had to intervene when the suggestion was made to attack Sire before they could attack Junacave.
“We cannot attack anyone, Sire included, without proof,” Bree said.
“But Your Majesty—” Sir Ainsley started. Bree held up a hand to stop him.
“I won’t risk losing the strong ties with our allies by acting too hasty against the wrong kingdom. Taten’s profit mainly comes from refining gold and silver from Vale’s mines. Labara has their vineyard. Sire is the only port in the southern half of the realm. Each of those kingdoms can sustain themselves. But because of our location, we mostly rely on taxes from trade, from all four kingdoms surrounding us. If Sire were to retaliate by imposing a tariff on their port to anyone who trades on or passes through our land, we would certainly lose all merchants’ business. If only one of our neighboring kingdoms were to decide to excommunicate us, our entire financial security would be unstable. This has to be thought through.”
No one could argue with the logic, but passions still ran high.
“What about the wildfire? Is Larkin powerful enough to have created it?” Bree asked.
Dagan shook his head. “Even if he could, you’re forgetting that Larkin left. He refused to pledge service to the wife and disappeared with the body. At least that’s what Rowan saw just before he left.”
“So Vallica must have found another wizard,” Dahlia said, pushing the door open. She had been listening from the other side. She could feel the piercing eyes on her. Every one of them knowing who she was and what she had done. All likely wondering why she was there.
“This meeting is private,” Sir Luthias said.
“Thank you Sir Luthias, however, Dahlia is here on my request,” Bree said.
Sir Nicholas stood and relinquished his seat so that Dahlia could sit beside the queen.
“Another wizard?” Bree asked, turning back to Dagan. “This soon?”
“It’s possible,” Dagan shrugged. “But to find one powerful enough to conjure wildfire and willing to risk his powers by using it?” He wondered just what type of fool they were dealing with. “And even better still, one that could extinguish it?”
“What do you mean?”
“If we are to believe that the flames suddenly disappeared, which the message from Labara clearly states, then someone had to have stopped the fire. A wizard strong enough to create and extinguish wildfire is a threat to everyone, everywhere.”
“Would the Elder Mage be able to stop this wizard?” Fortin cut in.
Bree glanced back over to Dagan. Only a very small number of people knew that Sidonie had been named the Elder Mage and they intended to keep it that way, for the time being. The question was alarming, and she hoped her face didn’t show it.
Dagan kept his composure, however. He must have expected the question or was very good at hiding his emotions. Either way, it was for the best.
“Hypothetically, if the Elder Mage was here, then yes. The Elder Mage is the only living wizard with the power to expel magic from people, places, or objects.”
“Then we should find this Elder Mage and bring him here!” Marshal Garret said.
“We can certainly try,” Bree said and turned to Dagan, trying to keep a straight face. “Dagan, please send word to wizards in neighboring kingdoms that we are in need of the Elder Mage’s service.”
Dagan nodded, knowing that the queen’s request was a false one.
“If proof is what you need, I can get it for you,” Dahlia spoke for the first time since taking a seat. She could feel, again, that every person in the room was glaring at her. She focused on Bree and tried to hide the fact that her legs were shaking under the wooden table. She never wanted to go back to Sire, especially with her father gone and his bitch of a wife in charge of the kingdom. In fact, she was already beginning to regret her decision to volunteer.
“No, Dahlia,” Bree started shaking her head. “I can’t ask you to do that. You are a free citizen with no oath to my crown. And the risk is too great, especially for you. If Queen Vallica really has found a wizard to do these terrible things, I can’t imagine what else she is capable of.”
“Perhaps, she doesn’t need to know who I am,” Dahlia replied. “I was able to take on a different appearance before…”
“With the amulet?” Bree asked. She knew Dagan wouldn’t like the idea even before she turned to ask him. He was already shaking his head and she was certain he would refuse.
“How do I know, once I give it to you, that you won’t use it to escape and disappear, forever?” Dagan asked.
“I wouldn’t trust me either if I were in your position. I can’t change the past, even though I’ve continued to apologize for it. But if you do allow me to assist, then maybe I can earn your trust in the end.” Dahlia turned back to Bree. She could tell that her cousin was considering it. “If you remember our conversation in the hall? I wouldn’t volunteer if I didn’t think I could do it. I want to help.”
Bree scrunched up her nose, still hating the idea. But having no better plan, she agreed. Dahlia would infiltrate her stepmother's kingdom and report back within five days’ time.
Chapter Twelve
Even though the thin green dress was itchy and stained, and her hair was a complete disaster of a muddy brown color, knotted in the back, Dahlia was still glad to be on an assignment. For a time, she thought it would never happen again. And she definitely never expected to be spying for the kingdom of Junacave. The position she now found herself in was one that she never would have planned for, in a century. But she did have to admit that her life in her cousin’s world was far better than the one she used to lead in her father’s.
Getting into the castle had been so easy that she almost expected there to be a trap waiting for her. The security that her father took so much pride in must be of no use to the new ruler. It was a level of overconfidence that Dahlia should have expected. Vallica never was smart enough to see danger, even right in front of her, and the affair that she had with Silas’ right hand, Simon, was just another example of this carelessness. Dahlia and Vallica both knew what would happen if Silas had ever found out about his wife’s extracurricular activities. Thankfully, he had usually been too wrapped up in his own whores to pay much mind to someone else’s.
Rounding the doorway to the kitchens, Dahlia grabbed a silver tray with Vallica’s afternoon tea and sweet cakes sitting on top. Then balancing the tray on one arm and shoulder, she threw back the drapery between her and the throne room. She tried to act naturally and hide the surprise on her face at the newly decorated walls and floor. Vallica had completely covered the room in black and purple. There were new tapestries, shields, and banners lining the walls. The floor was covered with rugs, some in thick fur which made it hard to walk across. Seeing as Sire’s royal colors were red and blue, it was a strange sight to see the throne draped in what Dahlia considered to be the colors of death.
Dahlia slowly set the tray down on the raised table beside Vallica and picked up the silver teapot. Carefully, she poured tea into the two cups. This was the first time she realized the tray had two cups, instead of one. Vallica must be expecting company. Dahlia gave a quick curtsy to the queen, gritting her teeth as she did so, then disappeared behind the drapery. She quietly picked up a crate next to the door and sat it down to sit on. There was no way of knowing how long she would have to wait before she would get any useful information to return to Bree.
It didn’t take long, though. Someone entered the throne room just a few moments later. His voice was smooth like melted steel. Dahlia was sure right away that this was the wizard, even though she couldn’t see him. He greeted the queen and accepted a cup of tea. So far, he didn’t sound like the dangerous and demented person that Dahlia was envisioning.
“I can’t begin to express how delighted I am with your accomplishments, Mereck,” Vallica said.
“This is only the beginning, my queen,” he replied.
“After witnessing your power, I am eager to—“
“Patience, my queen. Patience. You will get your revenge and everything that you desire. The trial fires went wonderfully and my magic should be restored very soon.”
“How soon?” Vallica wanted to move ahead as soon as possible. The wizard’s flippant response was not what she wanted to hear.
“You cannot rush these matters, I’m afraid. I will need… three weeks, minimum… to fully restore my powers,” he lied. He knew well that his magic would be perfectly charged once he opened a terra circle at the next full moon, tomorrow night. He just needed to stall her a bit longer. He still hadn’t found what he came to find and he needed more time.
“Three weeks?” Vallica balked at the wizard. “Are you sure there isn’t a way to… speed up the process?”
“No, my queen.”
Vallica didn’t reply. She knew she needed to keep the wizard happy, even if it meant delaying her plans for three more weeks. Taking the empty cup from Mereck, she called out to a servant to retrieve the tray.
Dahlia waited a moment after Vallica called for her, to make it seem like she had been outside the room and further away. Then she pulled back the drapery and walked over to the throne.
Dahlia was surprised by the appearance of the wizard, who Vallica had called ‘Mereck’. He had smooth blonde hair and a face that wasn’t terrible to look at. But she wouldn’t say it was handsome, either. After getting a good look at him to memorize his face, she kept her eyes on the floor. She knew a servant should not be caught making eye contact with anyone of importance. It was a rule that her father had punished severely for, if broken. Even with her eyes looking down, she could feel the wizard’s gaze.
“My, what beautiful hair you have,” Mereck called out as Dahlia turned to leave the room. She stopped and turned slowly, the tray still in her hands. She forced a curtsy and small “Thank you,” then turned to leave, again.
“What in the world do you mean?” Vallica said, disgusted. “Her hair is dull and tangled. Rather repulsive, really. Nothing beautiful about it.”
Dahlia wanted to run. Something was wrong and she knew it. But if she tried to flee now, it would certainly seem suspicious. She heard the wizard whisper an incantation. It may have been the same one Dagan used to reveal the disguise, before. But she couldn’t be sure. Either way, she knew it had the desired effect because before she could even blink, her step-mother shouted. Glancing down, Dahlia saw the disguise was gone and her white chemise and light blue overdress had returned.
“You! Guards, seize her!”
Dahlia dropped the tray and started to run, but the two soldiers standing by the doorway to the throne room were quick to catch her. Each one grabbed an arm and though she was trying to fight them, it was no use. They turned her around to face the queen.
“Dahlia, Dahlia, Dahlia. I wondered when I would see you again.”
“I doubt you truly missed me, step-mother. That would require you to have a heart.”
“You may be right. For a brief moment, I may have felt pity for you, being an orphan now that your father is gone. But, alas…”
The wizard approached Dahlia with a look on his face that frightened her like he was about to attack. But before he could reach her, Vallica ordered the soldiers to remove her to the dungeon. This, she was actually grateful for. Just one more moment and she couldn’t be sure what the wizard may do to her.
The walk to the dungeon was sobering. It finally hit her that she had been caught. Bree would never know about the wizard and his plan to attack in three weeks. They would probably assume that Dagan was right and Dahlia had escaped with the amulet.
Having been banished to a dungeon cell once already, in Junacave, Dahlia knew what to expect. The dirt floors, cold stone walls, and smell of body odor from whomever already occupied the neighboring cells. She fought the soldiers the entire walk down the dungeon stairs and hallway, until the solid iron door shut her inside. One of the soldiers laughed to the other before walking away. Dahlia collapsed to the dirty floor. She wouldn’t allow herself to cry, but she knew what was coming. Bree may have spared her life, but Vallica certainly wouldn’t. She would hang or lose her head. Either way, the result was the same.
It just didn’t make sense to her. How could the wizard have known about the disguise? Even before saying the spell? Could he have been strong enough to see right through it?
“Perhaps.”
Dahlia jerked her head up. Someone had spoken. She didn’t realize she had been thinking out loud.
“Is someone there? Who are you?”
A dark figure moved in the corner of the neighboring cell. Slowly, Dahlia stood. The figure moved closer to the thick metal bars that separated them. He stepped into the moonlight, shining in from a tiny window at the top of the wall beside him. She could barely see his face because his dirty gray beard and hair were so long and disheveled. She stepped closer to get a better look at the man. The rags he wore barely covered any flesh. Clearly, he had been here for a long time.
In a flash, the man was up against the metal bars and had a hold on Dahlia’s skirts, pulling her toward him. For a man who looked feeble and old, he sure had a strong grip. She tried to pull away from him, but he jerked her, hard, and she flung into the cold bars. She was so close that she could smell his foul breath, even though it was too dark to see his face. Fighting to escape his grip, she heard the door to her cell opening. The man suddenly let go of her and disappeared into the darkness of his own cell.
Turning toward the door, she saw Mereck. He was holding a torch, which lit the small space. He shut the door behind him and slid the torch into a hook on the wall.
“I hear your name is Dahlia,” he said. “Daughter of the late king, himself. Princess of Sire.”
The way he spoke was unnerving to her. He almost sounded impressed to meet her. When he stepped toward her, she moved backward until she met the wall behind her and could go no further.
“I’m afraid I’ve heard nothing about you,” Dahlia said, steadying her voice, trying to hide her fear.
“Seeing as the queen is determined to have you executed at the end of the week, I won’t waste time introducing myself. You won’t be around long enough for it to matter.”
“Did you come here to tell me my fate?”
“No. I came here for something I believe you may have. Something I need.”
&n
bsp; “I don’t have anything you need.”
“No? Tell me then, how did you change your appearance? I may have seen the real Dahlia, but I know now that no one else did.”
“I bought a potion from a wizard.”
“A potion?” Mereck considered her answer as he stepped up to her. A potion wouldn’t be as strong of a magic and would explain why he could see through it. “Now how do I know I can trust you, Princess?”
Dahlia didn’t respond. The wizard’s smooth voice wasn’t the least bit comforting.
“Just in case…” he said.
Mereck summoned air magic, wrapping it around Dahlia’s arms to keep her still. Before she knew what was happening, he reached out and grabbed the top of her dress. In one quick motion, he ripped the cloth down to her waist, revealing her large breasts, but nothing more. Just to be sure, he felt under her skirts, running his hands along her legs and the curve of her hips.
Dahlia was repulsed at being manhandled by the wizard, but she couldn’t move. Her arms and ankles were suspended in the air with some kind of magic.
“I must admit, Princess, that I have not had the pleasure of a woman since coming to this worthless kingdom.” He took a strand of her curly blonde hair and twisted it around his finger.
Dahlia jerked her head away, but Mereck grabbed a fistful of her hair and sniffed it, sending chills down her body from head to toe. She braced herself, knowing what was coming. She would finally learn how it felt to be taken advantage of. Just like she had done to Rowan. And she deserved it, too.
Only, it didn’t happen.
The wizard backed away and released the magic that was holding her, causing Dahlia to drop to the floor.
“Unfortunately, it seems my search shall continue. And I’ve no time for distractions. I would say, ‘Until we meet again’, but I predict we won’t.”
And just like that, he was gone, leaving the torch behind. Gasping for breath, Dahlia crawled into the corner. The amulet… it was gone. Even the chain was no longer around her neck. Mereck didn’t say what he was looking for, but it seemed obvious to her that he was looking for the amulet. Could she have lost it? Thankfully, the wizard had left the torch. She grabbed it off of the hook and dropped to her knees, searching the floor of the cell, but it wasn’t there. Where could it be? Who could have taken it?