The birds were barely waking as she sipped her tea. Light songs fluttered across the valley. Her lips paused on teacup, as Orator Moon said-
“You’re in the country-side, I doubt they’ll come this far out, but still,” his voice said lazily, “couldn’t hurt to reinforce them. They’ve begun bombing the entire United Kingdom more and more.”
Her Father’s warm laughter drifted out onto the balcony. “My father would be insulted if you thought his ancient enchantments on this estate weren’t strong enough to withhold a human’s idea of warfare.”
Maeve smiled into her teacup.
There was a light smacking sound, what Maeve imagined to be The Orator hitting her Father on the arm. “Take it however you like, Ambrose. The reality is their bombs are becoming more and more volatile.”
More laughter. The most wonderful sound she knew. Warm and inviting. Everything about her Father was just that.
“And stop giving those bastards money,” continued The Orator. “I know you have more Gold than all of The United but find a new hobby.”
“It is not a hobby, they are training exercises for my men. A single human bomb is the equivalent of a hundred soldiers’ magic. What better way to prepare them?”
“And I suppose it’s pure coincidence you also receive awards for protecting human civilians with those training exercises?”
“You signed off on those, Orator.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “You tell me.”
Maeve wondered what brought the Orator to her father’s private residence so early.
The Estate answered, and a perfectly folded newspaper appeared on the white iron table beside her. She set down her teacup and glanced at the headline of the The Daily Divination.
August 1st, 1944
Human Army of Poland Moves to Liberate Warsaw
ROGUE MAGICAL MILITIA CAPTAIN RUMORED TO BE ASSISTING GERMANY
Kietel was his name. Her Father had named him Captain himself.
Moon’s voice continued. “Did you decide on a number to have stationed at Vaukore?”
Vaukore.
Maeve hated that the Orator’s Office passed legislation ordering that her father’s men now guarded Vaukore. She hated the idea of soldiers stationed at every corner of the school. Until now, the school had remained untouched by the influence of modern human warfare. But as their weapons grew in strength, Magic was becoming. . . breakable.
“They are already there,” said Ambrose.
“German soldiers as well?”
Ambrose hesitated, but when he spoke it was with powerful ease. “All Magical Militia are under my command. Regardless of their human counterparts alliances.”
He said it like it wasn’t the first time.
Moon muttered something under his breath.
He was not alone in his fear. It was smart to be afraid. In war heart’s are fickle.
Hungry.
“Whatever you say Ambrose,” said Moon. “But I must ask. You refuse to have your soldiers here, refuse to reinforce your enchantments at your own home, but fought tooth and nail to have them at Vaukore.”
“Maeve is at Vaukore.”
“But she is here too.”
“I am here.”
