Angelique’s thoughts came so fast, she struggled to comprehend Odette’s explanation. “Why would they need to be filled with a love ofdancing?”
“They’re cursed to remain in Alabaster Forest,” Odette said. “They cannot leave its boundaries. Additionally, all of their best warriors and officers—including the generals—have been cursed to wander the continent, never able to stay more than one night in any location. We also collect letters from the warriors—we call them Wanderers—and deliver them to those who remain in AlabasterForest.”
Angelique squeezed her eyes shut, stunned by the sudden epiphany.Could I leave the Black Swan Smugglers here and run down to Farset to see the elves? Pegasus is fast, but we’d still likely delay the expedition, which may be dangerous given that we have to enter the northern mountains in the summer, or we’ll surely die.The idea ate at her, but she tried to focus on the information Odette had given her. “Who could have cursed theelves?”
“I don’t know, but they did a thorough job of it,” Odette grimly said. “There are particulars to their curse, but I only know a bit of it. I do know it’s been hard on them. For years they’ve been stuck in their woods, and because they can’t leave its boundaries, they haven’t been able to ask for help. They were in a pretty bad spot before we Black Swan Smugglers started delivering the philtre to them, but since we were cursed ourselves, we couldn’t do much more than that.” Odette grimaced. “We should try to do more, but between picking up after Rothbart and keeping an eye onOdile…”
“And here I’ve added to your work by requesting your help,” Angeliquesaid.
“Not at all. It is we who owe you; we are glad we can aidyou.”
“Thank you. This matter—confirming the presence of the mirror—does need to take precedence. But once we are through this, I will prioritize the elves,” Angelique said. “The King of the Elves is a good friend of Lord EnchanterEvariste.”
“Ah,” Odette said in a worriedtone.
“Ah?”
“We are only given clearance to enter the forest for our deliveries, and sadly wejustdropped off the most recent shipment. They won’t need more until at least mid-fall.Sorry.”
Angelique leaned back in the saddle.Why is it every time I think I find a lead to Evariste—or help for him—things are complicated ordelayed.
Odette awkwardly cleared her throat. “I apologize. I forgot you wouldn’t know any of this. I took Alexsei with me, so he found out when we made our last drop off. We told Gemma and Stil when we got back, but obviously the news wouldn’t have reached you yet since you were off in Loire at thetime.”
Angelique slapped on a smile. “There is nothing to apologize for. I am glad to hear we finally have word of the elves, for no one knew what had happened. It might take us some time to reach them, but at least now I know theycanbe reached. But first, we must find thismirror.”
Odette nodded and briefly turned around to signal to her people as they passed through the field and into official Ostfoldterritory.
Ostfold—the capital of Verglas—sat at the other end of the fields, the loud calls of goats and the hum of human chatter and laughing faintly emitting from behind its woodenwalls.
Angelique lowered her gaze as she thought about what Odette had just told her.If Stil knows, he’ll send word to Severin about the elves, and he’ll reach out. Ugh, but he might not find out until after he returns from Ringsted, and he’s supposed to go to Erlauf, so it might take some time for the news to catch up withhim.
She pressed her lips together as she stared up at the crest of Pegasus’ neck.Yet, this is a good thing. We knewsomethinghad to be wrong with them, so it’s not exactly a surprise it’s a curse. In fact, it’s a good thing. Curses can be broken. And once Emerys is free, I don’t know if there’s a power in the land that could keep him from findingEvariste.
Still…she didn’t like it. Having to choose from such high-stakes priorities wasn’t a goodsign.
Odette was scowling—judging by the thin wrinkles on her forehead, she was probably upset with herself. (It was an expression Angelique knew well, for she had worn it herself more times than she cared to admit over the past fewyears.)
Given that she liked the Swan Queen—and that if they both were moping, it didn’t bode well for their trip—Angelique made a weak attempt at changing the conversation. “Have you visited Ostfoldbefore?”
Odette shifted her watchful gaze to the city. “We’ve picked up goods from Ostfold before, particularly when the mad King Torgen ruled and folk were trying to escape him. Though I will say this is the first time we’ll be truly rubbing elbows with royaltyhere.”
Misha—Odette’s bookish, male second-in-command—grinned widely. “Oh really? I thought you and Prince Alexsei have done far more than rubelbows…”
Odette turned around and glared at her companion. “I said it’s the first time we’re rubbing elbows with royaltyhere!” She muttered under her breath, then put on a smile for Angelique’s benefit. “Thank you for agreeing to meet us outside the city. It was fastest for us to fly here from Kozlovka, but we don’t like transforming in cities. It can be an…awkwardexperience.”
“Thank you for agreeing to come,” Angelique said. “Your wings and eyes will be an excellent boon as we try to make a trail and narrow down the possible mountains the mirror isunder.”
Odette shrugged. “As I said before, we owe you—for the wyvern, our curse, and helpingOdile.”
They were almost in the shadow of the city by now and were able to join the dirt road that led through the gates and into the cityproper.
“I did not aid you with the intention of keeping you obligated,” Angelique said. “Though…I must thank you the same. You are the first people to personally helpme.”
Odette abruptly turned toward Angelique, her mouth in a surprised ‘O’ shape, but Angelique was already greeting the cityguards.
Though it had barely been half a year since King Torgen had died and Toril ascended the throne, there was a marked difference in thecity.
The market square was crowded with wooden stalls and stands selling everything from cheeses to wild strawberries. There was more color, too. Folk wore bright clothes and big smiles instead of nervously scuttling about as they had during Angelique’s previous trip to thecity.
