Sybilla smiled warmly and patted her handagain.
“This Lord Enchanter Evariste is one person,” Queen Linnea of Verglas frowned. “I’m aware his powers are useful and would be a boon, but if wemustassign priority—and it seems like we have no option but to do so—I think finding out what has happened to the Elves of Alabaster Forest should gofirst.”
The bitter taste of hopes dashed once again filled Angelique’s mouth, but she was so used to it by now she almost didn’t have any trouble swallowing despite the rancid taste. She set her hands on the smooth, polished surface of the table, stretching her fingers wide. “Queen Linnea may be right,” she reluctantly said. “Besides, King Themerysaldi of Alabaster Forest is a personal friend of Lord Enchanter Evariste’s and is incredibly powerful. If we can find him, it is likely that he’ll be able to find and free Evariste with his vastmagic.”
“Perhaps,” Sybilla cryptically said. She rubbed her hands together as her gaze turned to Finnr. “DearFinnr, what will you do for thisresistance?”
Finnr exhaled deeply, sounding like a displeased dragon. “You annoy me—often,” he quietlygrowled.
“Good,” Sybilla said. “You deserve a little irritation in yourlife.”
Finnr glowered at her, then raised his gaze to address the Summit. “My magic lies in snow and ice,” he said. “Like Sybilla, I have a few prior commitments, but after they are finished, I imagine I would be most useful in tracking the excess mountain hags. They will have returned to the mountains in northern Kozlovka by then, as we’ll be well into summer. Unless His Highness has a better idea?” He gestured toSeverin.
“If Angelique is able to take care of Rothbart, Kozlovkan troops will be able to confront the mountain hags.” Severin dipped his quill into an inkwell. “For now, I will make a notation of your abilities. When you are free, I ask that you return to Chanceux Chateau, and we can decide then—for some situations may have changed bythen.”
“Briar Rose could be awake,” Donaigh wistfullysighed.
“We can pray,” Firra whisperedback.
Severin shifted his gaze from Finnr to the next mage in line. “In what way will you offer yourservices?”
Angelique watched with great satisfaction as Severin worked his way down the line of magic users, eliciting promises of service from each ofthem.
A part of her was smug that she no longer carried all the responsibilities on her shoulders, but she was also more than a little glad. With each mage that spoke of what they could do—no matter if they were eager or reluctant—the representatives seemed brighter, and their posture not nearly asstiff.
They really thought we’d abandon them, Angelique realized as she watched the twin princes of Arcainia exchange rare looks of amusement when two craftmages quarreled over who would be able to enchant more weapons between the two ofthem.
Even if the Veneno Conclave doesn’t throw its weight behind this effort, they’re happy just to have us odd handful of mageshelp.
Angelique’s gaze drifted to Finnr—who looked flinty, but not quite upset that she had forced his hand. Instead, he was also watching the various royalrepresentatives.
I don’t particularly care for him, but maybe he can convince mages who are more focused on Conclave laws to join us. Because this isn’t enough. A handful of mages can’t counter whatever it is that has taken down both the elves andEvariste.
* * *
Angelique pinchedher lower lip as she studied the glowing, silver spell in front ofher.
“Everything looksright…”
Gravel crunched under her feet as she circled it. When she narrowed her eyes, she could see the silver-colored spellwork and symbols that formed the enchantment. Nothing was out of place, and all loops in the spell wereclosed.
She surreptitiously glanced over her shoulder, but all was quiet on the front lawn of Chanceux Chateau. The windows of the magnificent manor glowed cheerfully in the dark of the night, and Angelique could hear the faint whinnies of the horses in the stable just off to theright.
She wasalone.
Content with this, she squinted at the line of spell that specified the target of the tracking charm, affirming she had indeed detailed the war mage that had attacked her inZancara.
She took a breath and sent it off on its way with a flick of her fingers. The charm trundled down the chateau drive, picking up speed as it joined the road that wove through the forest and its silver light faded fromsight.
The chance that it finds something is almost zero, but I can’t giveup.
Angelique stretched her arms high above her head, then clasped her hands behind herback.
Although Severin had created a temporary workshop of sorts for Stil and the other craftmages, Angelique had opted to avoid close scrutiny and chose to cast her magic on the frontlawn.
It was unlikely her magic had escaped the notice of the other mages, but at least she could send it off without being frowned or gawkedat.
She stretched her hands wide and watched as her magic threaded through her fingers. “I suppose I ought to start thinking what spells and charms I should use on Sorcerer Rothbart,” she muttered. “The Emperor did say he lived on alake…”
