“I agree with you that it is an important matter,” Sinèad said. “In fact, I’ll take the matter before the department chair myself. But paperwork slows down progress. It will likely be the end of the summer before a weather mage is free to look into the matterandis willing to doso.”
“Thanks for that complimentary picture of us,” said a voice frombehind.
Angelique turned so she could face the two mages loitering in the doorway—a male mage with bright blue hair the color of the ocean, and a slim female mage with cornflower blondehair.
Angelique recognized them as Rein and Blanche—powerful master weather mages and acquaintances of Evariste’s she had met onoccasion.
“Why if it isn’t the Weather Wizards!” Sinèad’s posture relaxed, and she grinned as she again leaned in Alfonso’s direction. “Coming to check on us lovebirds?”
Alfonso sputtered and almost fell out of hischair.
“We’re seeking clarification on our new assignment before we leave,” the woman, Blanche, said. She looked a little older than the youthful Rein, but while her companion strode towards the desk in a heavy stomp, she glided like a spring breeze swirled at herheels.
They stopped next to Angelique at the desk, briefly inclining their heads in nods toher.
“‘ello, Apprentice Angelique.” Rein grinned, a pearl earring dangling from one of his earlobes.
“Hello,” Angeliquesaid.
Alfonso scratched an ear as he frowned at the pair. “You two have an assignmenttogether?”
“Yep.” Sinèad made a popping sound when she drawled the word. “There’s a big storm heading for Carabas Harbor in Arcainia. The place was nearly razed to the ground last year in some terrible storms, and the royals raised a ruckus about it, especially since our dear Angelique is the only mage who helped them during thatseason.”
“I’m aware of the assignment,” Alfonso said. “It came in only lastnight.”
“I knew you would remember it! You have such an admirable work ethic. It’s one of the many things I adore about you!” Sinèad batted her eyelashes at her coworker until he turned pink and looked away. Then, she continued, “Higher-ups wanted our best weather mages sent out immediately to disassemble the storm before it reachesCarabas.”
Rein leaned against the desk. “It’s surprising. I thought the department would have claimed it’s a sign of politicalfavoritism.”
“There was talk of it,” Alfonso said. “But if I recall, the message that relayed the request threatened to use the inaction from last summer as proof that the Veneno Conclave isn’t impartial, but rather picking and choosing the royals it helps, then proceeded to call the Council a bunch of unscrupulousbrutes.”
Puss definitely drafted that message. Probably withSteffen.
Angelique wisely kept her mouth shut as the weather mages exchangedshrugs.
“We heard your update on Ringsted,” Blanche said in her quiet voice. “If the assignment is approved by the time we return, I will ask to be placed onit.”
Rein nodded, making his earring jingle. “I will, too. We can’t leave Ringsted in such a dangerousposition.”
It’s not as soon as I would like, but at least it means they intend to act on it. And if anyone could take on a sea witch, it would be Blanche and Rein.Angelique relaxed slightly. As the pair were both master weather mages, they were far more skilled than the average weather mage. “Thank you. Knowing both of you will look into the Ringsted matter would be greatlyappreciated.”
Cautiously optimistic of her thus far non-disdainful reception, Angelique ventured so far as to speak again. “Between the Ringsted storms this year and the curses on the princes of Arcainia, Prince Severin, Princess Rosalinda, and even the Farset princesses…is it possible that this is more than sheercoincidence?”
Sinèad tapped her cheek. “What do youmean?”
“I’m not entirely certain,” Angelique confessed. “It’s just…I don’t recall curses being tossed around so frequently when I was a student. And there are undoubtedly strong black mages atwork.”
“Not likely,” Rein said. “The Conclave stamps ‘em out before they can get verypowerful.”
Angelique stared at the weather mage. “It took severalverystrong mages to kidnapEvariste.”
Rein blinked in surprise then winced. “Ah. Yes. That’s true,sorry.”
“Perhaps you are right, Apprentice Angelique,” Sinèad said. “For I agree that there has been an unusual amount of dark activity. But is that not why the committee was created—the one charged with hunting down the black mages who took Lord EnchanterEvariste?”
“Yes,” Angelique hesitantlyagreed.
“They’ll find those responsible,” Alfonso said. “And that will be the end ofit.”
