She shook her head to rattle the observations loose, then focused on answering her teacher. “If a person acts out of particular goodness—whether it is kindness, courage, valor, or gentleness—we are allowed to use our magic to grant them a boon. Sometimes it can be a physical thing—like a magic animal; other times it can be something less substantial, like good luck or favor among their peers,” sherecited.
Evariste nodded and scratched his bare bicep. “It’s also one of the only ways we can leverage our magic for regular citizens without any expectation of payment. It’s a different situation if there has been a disaster or they are in need, of course, but boon-granting lets us reward citizensandkeep politics out, so no other monarchies canobject.”
Angelique managed to hold her disgruntled snort in check.Of course, we mustalwaysbe concerned withpolitics.
“Usually, only enchanters, enchantresses, or fairy godmothers and godfathers are powerful enough to grant boons,” Evariste continued. “But often, they are granted in one of two ways. The magic user appears to a person in disguise—as an old man or woman—and asks for a small favor. When a person reacts with kindness, they are rewarded. Conversely, sometimes magic users choose to appear as beautiful princes or princesses. And occasionally the magic user chooses never to appear in front of the person themselves, but instead uses animals or magic to test them. I’ve only seen mages gifted with animal magic do such a thing, though, and onlyrarely.”
Another gust of wind encircled Angelique, and she had to grab her skirts to hold them down. “I understand,” she said, struggling to keep her voice cheerful as she battled with thewind.
“It is up to the discretion of the magic user for how they choose to appear—and in the gifts they choose to give. One must be careful in selecting what boon to grant, however, as you don’t want to upset the balance or ruin a person’s life. Which is why today you will be granting twotemporarygifts.” Evariste explained. “It’s much easier to learn on temporary gifts that only last a day than something that lasts the rest of a person’slife.”
Angelique nodded emphatically. “Temporary is an excellent start!” she said, not bothering to disguise herrelief.
Evariste laughed. “I am glad you are so enthusiastic about this opportunity! I will aid you with the first boon—I will tell you how to appear and what gift to give. The second boon, however, will be entirely up toyou.”
Won’t THAT be fun.Angelique wincedslightly.
Evariste have noticed, for he laughed as he draped his arm across her shoulders. “Fear not, Apprentice. You modified a princess’s curse—something that isfarmore advanced than boon-granting. You’ll do a wonderfuljob!”
“You said that about the duke, too, when you thought I wouldn’t last the night,” Angelique remindedhim.
“You still did a wonderful job,” Evariste winked. “You also just happened to make it an unforgettable night for everyone involved! And perhaps left a new impression oneveryone.”
“I’ll try to keep the streaking to a minimum for today,” Angelique saiddryly.
“Always a thoughtful goal! Now, come. We’re going to stake out a waterwell.”
* * *
Angelique crouchedin the bushes as she waited for a young girl or boy to visit the well. She mentally rehearsed the words she would say to grant the boon as she scratched hercheek.
I’m going to get this right—I have to! Evariste is watching, and I’m using his words to grant thisboon.
She glanced down to make sure her illusion was staying in place. (Since Roland’s arrival, she had grown remarkedly better at effortlessly holding illusions and alteration spells, but she didn’t need to be accidentally dropping her disguise in the middle of testingsomeone.)
Her lovely, gauzy dress was transformed into a tattered gown made of burlap. An illusion aged her face and hands—giving her weathered skin, age spots, and deep smile wrinkles—and she had folded her hair into a braid before turning it snow white with illusionmagic.
All in all, she looked like a proper mysterious oldwoman.
Now all I need is a willing victim. Come on—why hasn’t anyone sent their child to retrievewater?
Angelique perked when she saw a young lady strolling through the scrubby grass, carrying a woodenbucket.
She hummed as she almost danced along, her white smile brightening her warm terracotta skin and dark hair. She appeared to be, perhaps, fifteen orso.
Yes. This one will do justfine!
Angelique waited until the young lady plopped her bucket in the well—which almost overflowed with water—before stepping out of thebushes.
“Excuse me, dear,” Angelique said in a voice as squeaky as a creaky door. “Could you perhaps spare me some of your water? I haven’t the strength to draw any with these oldhands.”
Angelique’s victim—no—benefactee smiled. “Of course, grandmother. Sit here, and I will tip the bucket for you.” She patted the stone edge of the well and patiently waited for Angelique to hobblecloser.
Yes, this is the one! She deserves a boon. Hopefully she likes the one Evariste pickedout.
Angelique plopped down on the lip of the well. She smiled gratefully when the girl fished a ladle from a pocket in her skirt and offered it to her, then held up thebucket.
Angelique took a scoopful and was surprised to find the water tasted sweet and was still cool despite the afternoon sun.Must be magic-made.
