The persecution begins with my travel arrangements, of course. How could I have expected anyless?
“You are worrying needlessly, Galendra, Felicienne,” Enchanter Tristisim saidunexpectedly.
Was he defending her? Usually Tristisim disliked her almost as much asFelicienne!
“Traveling through Evariste’s portal without him is the least of her most recent sins,” hecontinued.
Ahhh, yes. There we go—that’s the jolly Tristisim Iknow.
“Tristisim is right.” Crest flipped through his papers. “We’ve received a few troubling reports about you,Angelique.”
Angelique kept her expression bland and saidnothing.
“It seems you used magic in Arcainia on two separate occasions.” Crest read off the report. “Lazare, would you list thecharges?”
Charges?Angelique’s stomach began tocurdle.
A moment passed, followed byanother.
A loud, growling noise that rather reminded Angelique of a screeching raccoon was the only uttered reply to Crest’srequest.
Enchanter Crest leaned forward so he could peer down the lineup. “Lazare?”
“He’s fallen asleep again,” Felicienne saiddryly.
“Oh dear.” Primrose clasped a hand to her plump cheek before she tapped the old enchanter on the hand. “Lazare?Lazare.”
Enchanter Lazare only snoredlouder.
Enchanter Tristisim slammed his hand on his desk. “Lazare!”
The elderly enchanter finally sat up. “Eh? What do you want?” he demanded. He fumbled with his monocle before getting it into place, his gaze falling on Angelique. “Oh. You.Again.” His mouth screwed up with obvious distaste. “Guilty!” hedeclared.
Felicienne sighed and rubbed her eyes, but Enchanter Crest chuckled. “Sorry, old boy, we’re not making a judgement quite yet. Could you read off the instances of magical misuse we have received on ApprenticeAngelique?”
Enchanter Lazare scowled and scratched his cheek. “If we say she’s guilty, we can break forlunch.”
“Lazare,” Tristisim said inexasperation.
“Fine, fine, fine. Have it your way,” Enchanter Lazare grumbled. “When we’re forced to skip lunch again, and you embarrass us all with that growling bear you have in your stomach, don’t complain tome!”
Tristisim frowned and folded his hands over his belly as Lazare cleared histhroat.
“Apprentice Angelique, we’ve received reports of you using magic on two separate days in Arcainia—where magic is strictly forbidden,” Lazare read. “Additionally, you have performed magic on a member of the Loire royal family—of your own volition—and have been recorded as traveling the continent and performing magic without the supervision of your master.” Lazare dropped his paper and peered at her. “What do you have to say aboutthat?”
Now is when my acting really matters.Angelique thought of the beautiful elven Lady Alastryn and did her best to mimic the lady’s serene but slight smile.I must appear to be as innocent as a lamb, even if I am really a fox.“It is true that I used magicnearthe border of Arcainia, but I was in Mullberg at the time. The only spells I used were against goblins—which were attacking me—and a healingspell.”
Enchanter Tristisim frowned but Enchantress Primrose smiled encouragingly. “Self-defense near the border, was it?” sheasked.
Angeliquenodded.
Enchantress Felicienne tapped her fingers on her desk. “And the secondoccasion?”
I don’t like that no one gave any indication of what they think—that doesn’t bode well.Still, Angelique kept the mask of her smile in place. “The second time I used magic was in Carabas—which, as it has been under the rule of an ogre, is all but a city-state and wasn’t a part of Arcainia atall.”
Enchanter Lazare adjusted his monocle. “Why do you saythat?”
Angelique made her smile just a smidgeon larger and hoped she looked charming instead of angry. “It’s not as if the King of Arcainia was collecting taxes from the ogre or providing support of any kind. The Carabas March was cut off from all outside contact. If the King’s will cannot be decreed in a city, is it truly part of thecountry?”
