My mom and my dad both gave me proud smiles as I settled into my seat. I took a deep breath, feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The speech was over. It had resonated with some, and that was good enough for now. Hopefully with time, others would find that the new ideas had benefits and the support would grow.
Ethel returned to the podium. “Over the next few days, there will be several panels featuring this topic. I encourage all of you to attend, ask questions, and explore what it means to hold on to our identity while embracing progress.” She paused continuing. “For those of you who are like me and feel a great gap of age and experience between yourself and someone as youthful as Ms. Oaks, let me assure you that she will be fully prepared before stepping into my shoes.”
There was a flutter of chatter, some soft laughs, and murmured agreements around the room.
“Not only do I have every intention of continuing my time as premier for a few more years, but the minister of the Wapiti, Nancy Oaks, has agreed to serve as an interim premier as well as one of Michelle’s advisers once she is premier.” Ethel motioned to my mom. “Your interim premier.”
Mom walked over to the podium. Her voice was soft, and even with the sound amplification spells, the audience had to stay quiet to hear her. “I’ve had the unique experience of being in every part of the clan, from heir apparent, to outcast, to member, to minister. I’ve seen clans at their best, where everyone is lifted up by strong leadership and a community mentality.” She paused. “I’ve seen clans torn apart by petty disputes, political pandering, and poor management. As interim minister, I plan to continue following Ethel’s vision, develop programs to help struggling clans and witches, as well as ease the transition between Ethel and Michelle.”
Mom continued with the scripted speech, but I stopped listening because I’d heard it too many times to count while she’d been making sure she knew exactly how she wanted to say every word. Instead, I was watching the audience’s gaze jump from my mom to me. The little magic show had been intended to help refute any rumors that I’d lost my powers, but I wasn’t sure it had worked.
Not only were people continuing to watch me, but it was hard to hide the truth. Rumors that I lost my power had circulated for months. While I didn’t need much power to be premier, I needed what I had, and I needed enough to squish any arguments that I wasn’t a witch. If this demonstration hadn’t been enough, I’d have to figure out something else, because I didn’t want to be dealing with the issue forever.
Clapping pulled me out of my thoughts and back into the present. I quickly joined in as Mom returned to her seat next to me. While I’d had pockets of noisy supporters, Mom’s applause was both evenly distributed throughout the crowd and louder. Ethel had been right. People would love her, making accepting me easier.
Ethel returned to the podium. I straightened my shoulders, knowing what was going to happen next. “Ladies and gentlemen.” Ethel’s voice boomed through the room. “Let the convention begin!”
Magical fireworks exploded across the ceiling, sending red, white, and blue lights glimmering as they drifted down, vanishing before they touched anyone. The crowd roared, and the orderly commencement dissolved into the beginnings of a party, with people shouting, hugging, talking, and racing for the exits.
I didn’t have it in me to celebrate. The rest of my evening was going to be filled with making official appearances at every gathering the convention was hosting. That meant smiling, saying the right thing, smiling some more, and wishing I was back home with Elron. He hadn’t been invited because elves weren’t welcome at a witch-only gathering.
Ethel finished thanking the event host and marched over to me. Rather than one of her usually vivid outfits, she was wearing a positively sedate pale rose dress suit, her white hair pulled back in a bun.
“You did well. The overall reception was better than we hoped for, but there’s more to be done.”
Suppressing a sigh, I nodded. “I didn’t get the tone right, did I?”
She pursed her lips, studying me. “The speech was fine, but some of the people are still trying to live like we have our own communities and never see the rest of the world. Your mission statement was strong. They need time to get used to the idea.”
“Right,” I muttered without enthusiasm. “On to part two, spending the night charming them.”
“Precisely.” The word was filled with energy I didn’t have. “Now, we have time for a quick dinner before we get started.”
I got to my feet and tried to remember all the reasons I wanted to be here. Yesterday, saving witches from being tortured or used as pawns in a political game had sounded so very noble. Today, it was a lot of work and being chased around by a feisty old woman.
Chapter Five
The last day of the convention was a haze. On the Policing as a Modern Witch panel, I fielded questions about breaking with tradition and destroying clan businesses, neither of which I was able to answer satisfactorily. Thankfully there were only a few minutes between that and my next appearance, at Social Problems Facing Clans. The moderator hurried me out before I could be mobbed by the participants on that one. Two hours of nonstop questioning about the time I was kidnapped by my maternal grandmother so I could carry on her legacy, or any of the other bad behavior I'd experienced as a clanless witch, was enough.
Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to escape uncomfortable questions at Illegal Magic. I gritted my teeth and did my best smile as I listened to the third question asking essentially the same thing.
"I'm afraid I don't entirely follow. You're saying that some of our own are the perpetrators of these illegal acts, malfunctioning charms, poorly enchanted items, and the like. Do you think this issue is connected to the reduced power of the clan ministers? A change in our society that you support." Her eyes drilled into me.
Ignoring the murmurs of agreement, I leaned closer to the microphone and focused on the jeans and t-shirt clad witch. "I see the issues as related but distinct. It's easy to think of ourselves as different from other groups, but we have the same problems. We have people who are discontent, willing to break the law, and willing to endanger others to enhance their own goals. I don't want to see clans abolished. I just want them to treat witches with dignity and respect. If anything, clans motivated by the health and well-being of their members should only reduce the number of witches who turn to illegal methods to provide for themselves." Ethel had drilled me on that question dozens of times, and I thought I'd hit all the right notes.
The witch shook her head. "I speak for more than myself when I say the changes you suggested to the witch community will harm clans."
"Given the subject matter of this panel, I'm afraid we'll have to disagree." My memory wasn't as clear as I wanted it to be, but hopefully recalled the right name. "Angie, the only thing I can offer is the truth. I'm not the only witch who has been treated poorly at the hands of a clan, even their own clan, and I think that must end.
“As for witches being involved in illegal magic, policing magic is very difficult. Magic is our greatest resource and the way almost all of us earn a living. For those who want more money or don’t like their place in the clan, selling spells and magical goods is a logical step. Sadly, it’s one that harms a great many people."
Before Angie could say anything, the moderator broke in with a cheerful voice. "We've gotten a little off topic, Do you have a question more closely related to illegal magic?"
Frowning, Angie sat down. If her scowl was anything to judge by, she wasn't finished with me. After a few seconds, another witch raised their hand. A short woman stood up. "Are there any signs we can look for that would help us identify a witch using their magic for illegal activities on the side?"
The moderator glanced over at me. "Michelle, I think you have the most experience in this area."
I forced a polite smile. "It depends on the ability of the witch in question. You might be able to see signs of magic, but the more skilled the indiv
idual in question, the more likely it is that they’ve taken preventative measures to erase those signs."
As I went through the various methods, the witch nodded politely. After two follow-up questions about magical residue, the moderator selected another question. Thankfully, it went to the panelist on my left. The rest of the panel crawled by until the question and answer segment was done and I could escape.
I hurried out the door, only steps ahead of Angie. Not willing to risk a glance back and possible eye contact with Angie, I kept up the quick pace until I was safely settled into another panel. Ethel might consider this necessary PR, but I couldn't wait for the convention to be over.
Policy questions deserved quality answers, but the middle of a panel wasn't the time or place. Not to mention Ethel had been insistent that I avoid those questions. She made that sound relatively easy, but in practice, it was proving to be far more difficult. Every time I was in front of an audience, they had a chance to ask those questions, and I had to find a polite redirect.
The real problem was me. I was something of a controversial figure. This was why I got the joy of sitting on all these panels, trying to make myself seem like just another witch rather than some radical political figure.
I hurried into another room. This time I had a few allies. Equality in Ministry was a hot topic in our family, with my father being one of the few male ministers. He squeezed my shoulder as he sat down next to me. A moment later, my mom took the seat on the other side of him. The other three male ministers took the remaining seats. Over three hundred clans, and only four male ministers. Sad.
This was by far the least painful panel of the day. The men spent the most time speaking and answering questions, allowing me to fade into the background. After only an hour, I retreated to my room. Now all I had to do was survive tonight's dinner, and I could get home to Elron.
Far too soon, Susanna came to ensure I was properly dressed for dinner, which included redoing my hair and checking to make sure I was dressed in the prearranged outfit. Once I passed muster, it was off to dinner.
Sitting at the main table, the one where everyone got to look at you, left me feeling like I was eating inside a fishbowl. Polite but ultimately meaningless conversation filled the event.
As dessert was being taken away, Ethel stood up to say a few words. "In my many years as minister, I've been fortunate to spend time with so many wonderful witches. Looking forward to the day the ministry changes hands, I feel a rush of excitement much like that of when I became the premier. For months now, I've heard your concerns that Michelle is too young and not connected enough to a clan. When I look at her actions, I find myself reassured that she will always put our greater well-being at the forefront of her every action. In the years between now and when she becomes premier, you'll have time to get to know her as I have, through her actions and her words. I think you'll find she's qualified and passionate about serving the witch community."
Ethel surveyed the crowd. "She doesn't respect tradition or traditional values. Those exact words were said about me. Today, no one would say those words. It's easy to think that because things were done one way in the past, that is the way they should be done moving forward. But time marches on, and so must we. I have every confidence she will strike the appropriate balance between progress and traditional values.”
I kept a smile on my face as the crowd applauded. A few tables had the vigor I was sure Ethel had hoped for, but several were simply going through the motions. Ethel had voiced optimism. Looking at the uncertain faces in front me, I didn’t feel Ethel’s excitement. Winning them over would take more than speeches.
Chapter Six
A throat cleared behind me. I turned to see Susanna.
She leaned over and whispered in my ear, “The premier needs you.”
I smiled and excused myself from the group with a few polite words. I could feel eyes on me as we left the reception. I held my back ramrod straight and hoped I projected a lack of concern. I didn’t want anyone here thinking something had gone wrong. The moment we were in the hall and away from prying ears, though, I asked, “What happened?”
Susanna shrugged. “I wasn’t with the premier. I was told to bring you to her private conference room.”
I didn’t bother prying for more information. If Susanna knew, she wouldn’t tell me. Ethel’s aids were always loyal. In other circumstances, I would have admired that, but an unplanned meeting the last day of the convention sounded bad.
I couldn’t help but reach over and fiddle with my engagement ring. Most likely someone had an issue with my relationship with an elf. Elron was the love of my life, and nothing any witch said would change that, but it wouldn’t stop them from trying. Too many witches only wanted a premier who was involved with another witch. They all had their reasons, but it boiled down to a simple point. Cross-species matches weren’t fertile, and to them, a relationship only worked if there was the potential for offspring. Neither Elron nor I were worried about that aspect of our family, but it bothered the witches, so it was our problem.
“I don’t think that’s it,” Susanna said.
“Huh?” I stopped twisting my ring. “Sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“I don’t believe the elf is an issue at this point.” Her voice was neutral.
“I thought you said you didn’t know why Ethel summoned me.”
Her eyes met mine for a moment. “I don’t, but any complaints about the elf were silenced after you…” Her voice trailed off.
Maybe it was getting stronger, or maybe repetition had desensitized me, because this time the implication didn’t hurt. “You can say it. It isn’t a secret. Since I lost my power.”
“That has been the topic at hand. Other... issues have fallen aside. Your romance with the elf never should have been an issue, since the position isn’t hereditary, but when they were looking for something to disqualify you, it was easy pickings. However, things are different now.” She pursed her lips. “My point is, the talk has been about your magical abilities, not your romance.”
“Thank you.” That was about all I could say.
After six months of rebuilding, I was a capable witch again. Ultimately, capable was the problem. They had stories of me showing power most of them couldn’t dream of. Capable wasn’t what they wanted out of me. Legendary was, and that part of me had burned away with the last demons.
“In here.” Susanna stopped beside a set of matte black doors.
The steel handle was cold, and I hoped it wasn’t a sign of what was to come.
Inside, two camps were separated by a convention table. On the closest side, Ethel was flanked by two of her assistants. Across from Ethel sat a witch, her golden blonde hair slicked in a tidy ponytail, a suit jacket over her red silk blouse. Her eyes were cold as they assessed me.
Keeping my expression bland, I skipped to the witch next to her. Angie’s smug smile didn’t bring me any comfort. Down the table were two more witches, a man with short cropped auburn hair, and another woman who looked me up and down, her jaw length ash-brown hair as blunt and impactful as her stare.
Ethel motioned me to take the seat next to her, and Susanna to join the other assistants.
The soft leather of the chair did nothing to reduce my trepidation.
“Michelle, let me introduce you to Isadora, Angie, Zach, and Marquette. They have lodged a formal complaint stating you are unfit to be in the line of succession.” Ethel tapped her fingers on a stack of papers. “The specific complaint is that you do not have the power to be the premier. As such, they have requested the right to test you through Trial by Magic. They requested your presence at our discussions.”
Only the hours spent with Ethel and her team allowed me to keep a neutral expression. This had been one of the possible issues they’d mention, but Ethel had made it seem unlikely. “That’s a very reasonable concern, and I understand the need for a speedy resolution to this charge.”
“Excellent.” Ethel gave the group acro
ss the table a feral smile. “Then we can begin negotiations.”
“No,” Isadora said.
The finality in her voice jerked my attention away from Ethel. The cold gaze that had been directed at me was now focused squarely on Ethel. Perhaps it was the way she leaned forward, or the calm with which she spoke, but something about her had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
“We put forth the proper challenge. We wish to follow through. There is nothing to negotiate.”
Ethel leaned back in her chair. “Yes, the proper paperwork if you are a minister. You are not. In fact, not a one of you can claim that title. The minister to whom you, Isadora, owe your loyalty, is absent from this room but has had complaints lodged against her. Those complaints put many witches in an uncomfortable position, and just this morning, another complaint landed on my desk. What you did not submit was the proper paperwork for individuals seeking to verify the qualifications of a future premier.”
I kept my mouth shut. There was nothing I could say that would be better than what Ethel had already said, and I really didn’t want to complete Trial by Magic. Candidates for the position of the premier and minister had died in trials. Of the survivors, more than a few had received permanent injuries. I’d come close enough to dying and to having permanent damage that neither were situations I was eager to court.
Isadora stiffened. “Are you saying you will not hear our complaint because none of us are ministers?”
“I am saying you submitted incorrect paperwork.” Ethel pushed the stack of papers across the table. “I have, in fact, already had talks with ministers, and some of the clan members, who have voiced various concerns. On several occasions, the minister brought with them individuals whose views they did not support. However, those ministers still performed their duty to their clan and made sure those voices were heard. Perhaps you should be requesting a change in clan or leadership.”
A Witch's Magic Page 4