Logically, I think this means the pleasant man with her is King Toril.Angelique studied him as the couple turned to face them, watching the young man for any shadow of his father.He looks kind—which is perhaps the last thing Iexpected.
“Lady Enchantress Angelique, I am so glad you agreed to come,” Linnea greetedher.
She and her husband strolled arm-in-arm. “Thank you for answering our request,” Toril said. He bowed—deeper than he should have—to Angelique. “Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Toril. For months, I have wanted to thank you for the part you played in aiding Craftmage Stil to save Gemma and stop myfather.”
“It was an unfortunate situation,” Angelique delicately said. “But I am glad to see that you wear the kingshipwell.”
Toril smiled, making him look a little boyish. “Thank you. Might we enquire who your many companionsare?”
“Of course.” Angelique stepped aside so she could gesture to Odette and her people. “King Toril and Queen Linnea, it is my honor to introduce you to Odette of the Black Swan Smugglers and her talented companions. Odette is particular friends with the royal family of Kozlovka, and it was she and her smugglers who contained the evil SorcererRothbart.”
“We’ve heard of Odette.” King Toril’s smile didn’t budge even when he met Odette’s gaze, raising his character even further in Angelique’s eyes. “And we’ve heard a great deal of all the good the Black Swan Smugglers have done. Thank you forcoming.”
“Yes, thank you.” Linnea shot Angelique a curious glance. “Though I will admit I’m a little confused why you chose to request their help,Angelique.”
“Getting through the mountains will be a slow and tedious process,” Angeliquestarted.
Particularly since neither Clovicus nor I have weather magic as our core powers. I do wish he had brought someone with him, but at least we have the necessary power to make ithappen.
“Odette and her smugglers will be a great boon to us as they will be able to fly ahead—unhindered by the snow, ice, avalanches, and old rockslides as we are. They might be able to narrow down the list of potential mountains to visit, greatly saving us time,” sheconcluded.
“That’s a sound plan.” Linnea made a face and glanced at her husband. “It seems I have a long way to go before I can claim to be a true strategist. Scouting ahead hadn’t even occurred tome.”
“Be fair to yourself, Your Majesty,” Clovicus winked. “You’re used to solid things like weapons and men, not the twisty and whimsical ways of magic, as weare.”
“You are too kind, Lord Enchanter,” Queen Linneasaid.
Angelique tilted her head as she observed the interaction.Even though they all use his proper title, Clovicus has most everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. They treat him like a debonair uncle. But even though I think I have managed to convince almost everyone to use my name instead of my title, only a few—like Gabrielle, Elle, and Odette—speak plainly to me. Most continue to speak with formality, even if I’ve interacted with them foryears.
The thought rankled Angelique, though she couldn’t exactly put a finger onwhyit bothered her. They viewed her as the elegant and kind enchantress she pretended to be. Her front wasworking—that was hardly something to be upsetabout.
“This does change things a bit.” Linnea tapped her fingers on her side. “For the better, of course. Toril narrowed the mirror’s possible location to three differentmountains.”
“Our findings revealed that the Snow Queen did indeed collapse part of a mountain on top of the mirror, and we already knew the general region in which the mirror was hidden,” Toril said. “This narrowed the possibilities down to the three peaks Linnea mentioned. I feel quite certain we’ll find it under one of those mountains, given that we had many of our scholars pore over historic texts and maps and consult locallore.”
“We still have a few days of preparations, but we can begin discussing these locations immediately,” Linneasaid.
“Actually,” Odette began, “my people and I are ready tofly.”
“Really?” Toril asked. “You don’t need to pickgear?”
Odette glanced over her shoulder at her smugglers. Misha and Nadianodded.
Odette put on a professional smile. “It’s not necessary. Angelique gave us what little equipment we will need.” She tugged a ribbon free from the neckline of her shirt. A ruby cut in the shape of a flame—a heat charm—hung from theribbon.
“A few craftmages are staying at Prince Severin and Princess Elle’s Chanceux Chateau,” Angelique said. “I asked them to create ribbons that would stretch and shrink so the Black Swan Smugglers could be comfortable—and safe—while traveling in thecold.”
“Oh,” Linneablinked.
“In that case, we ought to adjourn to my study.” Toril hurried toward the door. “We have better maps there, so we can point out the specificpeaks.”
Odette and the Black Swan Smugglers strode after the king, leaving Angelique to bring up therear.
She smiled as she watched the smugglers murmur to one another, taking in their confident strides and the unworried way one or two of them stretched their arms above theirheads.
They’re used to making runs like this. I don’t think it will bother them overly much, but for us it might make a heap of a difference. If they can even eliminate one mountain from the list of three, it will make our odds better and save us a great deal oftime.
Angelique paused at the door. “Clovicus? Are youcoming?”
