A Charm for a Unicorn

by Jennifer Macaire

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  Chapter Eighteen

  The Mighty Mouse Magician

  Leonie was lying in the straw, feeling sorry for herself, when she heard someone muttering. She pricked her ears and listened. Horses have good hearing, so the words came to her clearly, although she hadn't heard anyone walk into the stables. This intrigued her. She got to her feet and looked over the stall door.

  There was no one in sight. But she still heard the voice. "Go ask the gray horse for some oats. Sure. Why didn't they just ask me to leave? I would have understood. But no, have to make fun of me." And then a deep sigh.

  Leonie craned her neck over the door and peered left and right. Nobody.

  "Well, there's a gray horse. Hello, pretty horse. Got any oats?" The voice came from near the ground. Leonie looked down. A very small mouse stood in front of her door. He was practically hidden by the a pile of straw. As she watched, he kicked at a pebble, then looked back up at her.

  "Hello,” said Leonie. The mouse dove into the straw. “Don't be frightened. Horses don't eat mice,” she told the pile of straw.

  "Horses don't talk,” said the mouse, poking its head out. Its black, beady eyes examined her carefully.

  "Mice don't usually talk either,” said Leonie.

  "Oh, that.” The mouse stepped out of the straw and brushed himself off. “I'm not really a mouse. I'm a very powerful magician. I challenged another wizard to a duel, and lost. Unfortunately, I seem to have gotten stuck in this form."

  "Really? Well, there is a very powerful wizard in the castle over there. Why don't you ask him to transform you?"

  "He tried.” The mouse shrugged.

  Leonie snorted in surprise. “He failed?"

  "Obviously. I mean, do I look like a powerful magician? No. I look like a mouse.” The mouse glanced behind him and sighed. “I even have a tail."

  "So do I.” Leonie swished her tail. “It's handy to keep the flies away."

  The mouse cocked its head. “You are the prettiest horse I've ever seen. And you talk. In my opinion, you're not really a horse. You must be an enchantment, like all the servants here. But why a horse? I can see turning a horse into a groom, or a stable hand, but why turn a human into a horse?"

  Leonie shook her head. “I'm in disguise."

  "Oh.” The mouse thought about that for a while. “Well, what are you then, if you don't mind me asking."

  "I'm a magician's daughter."

  "The one in the castle? He has a daughter?"

  "No, my father is another magician."

  The mouse climbed nimbly up the haystack. “That's interesting. You'll have to tell me why you're a horse. Are you being punished?"

  "No, I chose to transform into a horse."

  "I didn't choose to be a mouse, believe me.” The tiny mouse looked glum.

  "Well, if you want to be changed back to your own self, I can try.” Leonie felt like being helpful. She wasn't sure she could do it—after all, Sir Wulfe had failed. But she could always make an effort.

  The mouse chuckled. “That's a good one. The most powerful wizard tries and fails, but a talking horse thinks she can do it. Well, go ahead. I'll close my eyes. Tell me when it's over. Won't Prince Renaldo be surprised."

  "Prince Renaldo?” Leonie faltered. “Do you know him?"

  "Saved his life I did,” said the mouse, eyes still closed. He puffed out his chest and his whiskers quivered with self-importance.

  "You saved his life?"

  "When he was blasted out to sea by the cannons. Lost his leg, poor fellow. But he's saved now. I expect he'll take me back to his kingdom and give me a medal or something."

  "How is he?” Leonie had to know.

  The mouse opened one eye, then the other. “I say, are you going to restore me or not?"

  "Just tell me about Renaldo!"

  "He's probably broken hearted right now. The woman he loves came to see him this evening, and she didn't seem madly in love anymore. I can tell, you know, when people are in love. As a magician, I feel these sort of things. Anyway, this girl seemed more concerned about her shoes than her heart. A bad sign, usually.” The mouse gave a little cough. “I was surprised, actually."

  "Why?” Leonie held her breath.

  "Well, he'd been talking about her for so long, and saying such wonderful things about her that I expected someone incredible. She's pretty enough, but nothing amazing."

  "Did Renaldo lose interest in her, then?"

  "Oh, no. That's not what happened at all. ‘Twas the girl who seemed to have lost interest. He loves her still, I can tell."

  "Are you sure?” Leonie stomped her hoof. “Are you positive?"

  "Yes, he loves her fiercely. There's no doubt in my mind. He spoke about her all the time, pined for her, and now suffers all sorts of torment because she's getting married."

  Leonie's heart beat faster. He truly loved her? Was it possible? But the mouse's words gave her no comfort. She could never marry Renaldo and live among normal people. A tear rolled down her cheek before she even knew she was crying. Even if he did love her, she would still affect other men the same way. She would cause nothing but heartbreak and strife wherever she went.

  The mouse jumped on the stall door and patted her nose. “There now, don't cry. I'm sure things will work out for the prince and his fair maiden. You shouldn't get all worked up about it. I didn't realize horses were so sentimental."

  "I'm sorry. I don't usually cry. So, are you ready to be transformed?” Leonie wanted to take her mind off Renaldo.

  "Hey, you don't have to try. I'll find a wizard some day who can turn me back into a human. For now, I'm all right as I am.” The mouse stroked her nose some more. “Strangely enough, I have this urge to pat your nose. You don't mind, do you?"

  Leonie chuckled. “No. Now, stand on the floor. If I do it now, you'll find yourself sitting on the door."

  The mouse shrugged. “Have it your way. Don't strain yourself though."

  Leonie looked at him. At first, all she saw was a very small mouse, with brown fur and pink paws. But then she started to see the human he'd once been. The spell holding him in mouse form was a difficult one, but she understood it. It was like looking at a forest, and all of a sudden seeing each tree growing in it. The forest and the trees were inseparable. So were the mouse and the human he'd once been. Part of magic was learning to see what was really there.

  She reached out with her mind and gently undid the spell surrounding the mouse. It unlocked, springing apart, freeing the human within. An astonished young man sat in the straw. He wore the clothes he'd been wearing when he'd been spellcast, a woman's frock, and a scarf covered his head.

  Leonie snorted with laughter. “What are you doing wearing a dress?"

  "I don't believe it. I don't believe it! It's a miracle! It's amazing!"

  "It's a man in women's clothing. I'd love to hear the story,” said Leonie.

  He looked at her, then down at his body again. He touched himself all over, pulling his hair, tugging his nose, stamping his feet. Then he opened the door to Leonie's stall and threw his arms around her neck. “Thank you, thank you, horsy."

  "Don't ever call me horsy. Now, explain the gown,” insisted Leonie.

  "Er, gown?"

  "I doubt that you challenged another wizard to a duel while wearing that dress.” Magic had its own set of rules, and one of them was you transformed with your clothes. They stayed the same. You had better not gain too much weight while you were enchanted.

  The young man looked abashed. “I, um, didn't actually fight a duel. I was hiding, in fact, in a young lady's closet. Her father, who was a rather powerful magician, didn't take kindly to finding me there. But before I could explain, poof! I was transformed into a mouse. The house was near a seaport. I suppose I wasn't thinking when I boarded the ship, but I just wanted to get as far away from the wizard as possible. I was hoping the spell would wear off or grow weaker, but it never did."

  "Is that how you e
nded up on with Prince Renaldo? Was he on that ship?” Leonie asked. She hated the glum expression on the man's face. He plucked at the dress and his mouth twisted in a way that made her think he was trying not to cry. “That's all right. I understand.” She nuzzled him gently.

  He patted her nose. “I had just finished my magic courses. My own father was a magician, a small town fellow, to be sure, but talented. And I wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a wizard too, so he apprenticed me to a great master. But I fell in love with his daughter."

  "Perhaps she is waiting for you,” said Leonie. “You'll have to go find out. What's your name, by the way?"

  "I'm called Claude. And it's not clod, although that's what I feel like. The girl I fell in love with lives in the far northern part of Querel. It's been twelve months since I was transformed. She's probably forgotten me by now. To tell the truth, I've sort of forgotten about her. What was her name anyway? Well, it's of no matter. I'm here now, and that's what counts."

  Leonie said, “I'm sorry you were a mouse for so long."

  "That's all right. There were no cats on the ship. What about you? What's your story? Why are you a horse?"

  "I have to stay like this for a while. I've got a charm on me, wild magic if you like. It makes it hard for people to see me as I really am,” she explained. She didn't want to tell him that every man who saw her fell madly in love with her. For some reason, she was embarrassed about her charm.

  "Wild magic can be dangerous for those around you.” He nodded.

  "What will you do now?"

  "I'm a great magician, never fear. I'll find a way to make myself useful. Perhaps I'll challenge Sir Wulfe to a duel. If he couldn't break my spell, he mustn't be so powerful. He caused my friend Renaldo heartbreak and harm, and I mean to avenge him."

  "No!” If he did that, then Sir Wulfe would know something was up. “I think the best thing for you to do would be to leave this place and go home. Please?"

  "I may be wearing a dress, and I may look ridiculous. But I'm no coward. I hid once, and look where it got me. No, I face my troubles head-on now. Renaldo is my friend, and he needs me. If everyone ran off when things got tough, where would we be?"

  "Safe at home,” said Leonie.

  "You must be from a different kingdom. Here in Querel we fight back."

  "And just look where it's gotten you!” Leonie tossed her head. “I'm from Windtide, and I know it's a very small and insignificant kingdom, but it's peaceful and prosperous. At least, I think it is. Truth be told, I haven't been out in the world very much.” She sighed. “From what I saw of Querel, the civil war has been appalling. I hope that soon the princes will sign a peace treaty and stop dragging their people into battle."

  Claude rubbed his head. “It seems that the common people always suffer for their leaders’ folly. If the princes really cared about their subjects, they would stop fighting completely. But obviously they care more about themselves."

  "King Gustavo, the princes’ father, should put an end to this foolishness. He's the king. Why doesn't he do something?"

  "He's very weak. From what I hear, Sir Wulfe has been trying to stop the war and reconcile the two princes, Alonzo and Hidalgo, for months.” Claude shrugged. “They will all be here tomorrow. Perhaps some good will come from this situation after all. I overheard Renaldo's mother saying that the woman Sir Wulfe is to marry is the key to the whole situation, and that she should consider the good of the people instead of herself."

  Leonie gave a start. “What do you think Renaldo should do?"

  "If I thought that any good would come from sacrificing my own wishes for the good of a whole country, I wouldn't hesitate,” said Claude slowly. “I know it sounds harsh, but what is a simple love story compared to a whole country? If it can bring peace, then perhaps Renaldo should try to forget his lady-love. From what I saw, she is no longer smitten."

  "Is that what you're going to go tell him?"

  "What would you tell him?” Claude asked.

  Leonie dug her hoof in the straw. Now that she knew she could never marry Renaldo, she had to look at everything from a different angle. “I guess it would be selfish for the girl to refuse to help Sir Wulfe. After all, he's doing a noble thing by trying to stop the war. Maybe she doesn't even have to marry him. Maybe now that everyone is getting together, she can call the wedding off and explain that it was a ruse."

  "I don't think royalty like to be tricked. They are coming to have a good time, they don't know yet that Sir Wulfe has prepared a treaty."

  Before Leonie could comment, the door to the stables opened slightly, and a slim shadow squeezed through the narrow opening.

  Claude ducked behind the haystack, while Leonie prudently withdrew into the deep shadow of her stall. Evening had fallen, and the stables were dim. The person who'd just come in stubbed their toe and uttered an very unladylike oath in a feminine voice.

  "Ouch! Stupid Gorbellied folly-fallen giglet! Where is the light?"

  "Who goes there?” Claude cried, jumping out from behind the haystack with a pitchfork.

  Leonie gave a whinny as she recognized Sylvain, in her form. He stopped and stared at Claude. “Who are you?” he cried.

  Claude dropped the pitchfork. “Begging your pardon, my Lady. I was defending this horse, that's all."

  "Oh, that's a good fellow. Yes, defend the horse.” Sylvain started to pet Leonie on the nose, and then seemed to realize Claude hadn't answered his question. “I said, who are you? And what is a man doing dressed in a woman's clothes in the stables?"

  Leonie snorted. “One might ask the same of you."

  Sylvain jumped and swore again. “By pratsafats gizzardly gumzasats! Will you stop scaring me like that?"

  "Where did you pick up all those curses, Lady Leonie?” Claude inquired. “Prince Renaldo said you'd led a very sheltered life in an isolated castle, but I haven't heard language like that since I was in the navy!"

  "I happened to serve two years on ... Ouch!” Sylvain rubbed his shoulder where Leonie had nipped it. “I mean, we had a servant for two years who used to be in the navy.” He glared at Leonie. “Satisfied?"

  Claude narrowed his eyes. “Something strange is going on. You are not who you appear to be. I told you, I'm a very powerful wizard and I can feel these sort of things.” He patted his pockets and then looked down at the ground. “Where is my wand? I had it when I was transformed."

  "And I suppose that Sir Wulfe can't feel those sort of things?” Sylvain gave Claude a withering look. “For your information, I've managed to fool him. Why, he hasn't found out that ... Ouch!"

  Leonie nipped him harder this time. “Hush! Why don't you hire a flock of Crow Callers to shout the news? Now be quiet!"

  Claude looked up from where he was on his hands and knees, searching in the straw. “I say, did that horse just give you an order?"

  "Yes.” Sylvain turned to Leonie and pointed to his shoulder. “Look at this! My new dress is torn! You know, you should have become a donkey. You are even bossier and more stubborn than your sister."

  Leonie pinned her ears back and gave Sylvain an equine glare. “If you don't want to spend the rest of your life in that form, I suggest you do as I say."

  "Ah ha!” Claude stood up with a small stick in his hand. “Found it! Now, I will show you what I can do! Let's see who you really are!” He pointed it at Sylvain, and before Leonie could do anything, he waved the wand. A shower of blue sparkles covered Sylvain, and to Leonie's horror, her spell disappeared. Prince Sylvain reappeared, still wearing a dress, of course.

  "What have you done?” cried Sylvain. He jumped on Claude, trying to wrest his wand away from him. “Give me that!"

  "No, it's mine! Get off me, you oaf!” Claude grunted as Sylvain landed on him.

  "Oaf? Why, I'll teach you a thing or two!"

  "You tricked my friend Renaldo,” snarled Claude and managed to land a glancing punch on Sylvain's chin.

  "You idiot, I had to! Do you think I like being
a girl?” Sylvain kicked him and they rolled over, hay flying.

  Dismayed, Leonie opened her mouth to cry out when the stable door banged open. It was Sir Wulfe. He held a lantern above his head, and his face looked like a thundercloud bursting with hail and lightning. The lamplight fell on Claude and Sylvain in their dresses, wrestling.

  Sir Wulfe stopped and gaped. Prince Sylvain and Claude froze. Leonie squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the explosion. Instead, Sir Wulfe gave a sort of strangled cough and said, “Excuse me, I'm looking for Leonie. Someone said she was here looking for her father."

  Leonie dared open her eyes again.

  Claude pulled out of Sylvain's arms and glared at him. Then he got to his feet, turned to Sir Wulfe and said, “There's no Leonie here, and no father either."

  Sir Wulfe blinked, and his frown returned. “Just who are you, and what are you doing in my stables?"

  "Um, we're...” Claude stopped, a blank expression on his face.

  "We're Prince Alonzo's jesters,” said Sylvain, standing and giving a deep bow. “We came along early to, er, rehearse."

  Leonie was relieved to see that he stayed behind Claude and kept his head down, so Sir Wulfe wouldn't see him and recognize him as the horse trainer.

  Claude gave a high-pitched laugh. “Oh yes, Prince Alonzo wanted to put on a play for your wedding. He asked us to whip something up so, here we are!"

  Sir Wulfe looked taken aback. “I didn't know that Prince Alonzo like comedy. I thought he was more interested in classical drama."

  Claude's smile slipped a notch. “Fancy you knowing that. Well, he wanted to try something different I guess. Besides, we're jesters, we don't do drama."

  "And this is supposed to be a surprise, so don't say anything to your betrothed,” mumbled Sylvain from behind Claude.

  "Oh. All right. I'll be looking forward to your play tomorrow. Um, have you seen my fiancée here? Someone said she'd come to the stables."

  "No, we haven't seen her. But if she does come in, we'll tell her you're looking for her."

  Sir Wulfe started out the door then hesitated. Looking back over his shoulder, he said in a doubtful voice, “I'll just leave you two alone then."