Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 13
Happy Saturday! We’re a little late this week, but I was caught up in the news yesterday. As some of you know, I also write historical nonfiction…and I took a lot of classes in the Diplomatic History of Europe and the United States. Whatever you think of the events yesterday, it was fascinating to watch it all play out on TV as opposed to reading someone’s memoirs 20 years later.
And we have a few days left for late pledges to our Historical Nonfiction campaign on Kickstarter, so if you’d like to back it, here’s the link.
Another wonderful Kickstarter campaign by D.L. Gardner with only 52 hours left!
Finally, here is the next part of our story.
Chapter 13
“This is the one I told you about,” the man said to Orris as they walked up to Celsiana.
“You can do magic?” Orris asked a bit skeptically.
“I can manipulate the elements to suit my needs,” Celsiana replied, shrugging slightly. “It’s easy enough to do, when you know how.”
“And you’re related to this Gerald of Harringford?” Orris looked over at the other man and raised an eyebrow. “I thought that guy was made up to scare children.”
“If you have a candle, a deep bowl and some wine, I’ll show you,” Celsiana said. She slid her hand in her pocket and felt the small crystals at the bottom.
They were natron, which her tutor had said were gathered from the salty marshes in a distant kingdom. He’d worked there before coming to their land and had brought some with him. When Celsiana realized they could be used in the garden to prevent powdery mildew on her roses, he’d given them all to her…once she’d done well on her science project. She always kept some with her, when she gardened.
“Go ahead and place them on the desk if you like,” Celsiana said, glancing at the man standing there, “but magic can be tricky in unusual spaces.”
The man took a step back. “I think we should do it over by that table,” he said, looking at Orris.
Orris laughed and walked over to the desk. Glancing behind him, he told the other man, “Bring everything here.”
When the man returned, Celsiana moved the bowl to the middle of the space. As she put the candle in, she carefully dropped a few crystals around it. They were very small and almost clear, so no one noticed. She took a step back and explained how the magic would work.
“I’ll light this candle, then when the wine is poured into the bowl, the candle will go out.” She smiled. “Without my blowing on it or moving near it in any way.”
She lit the candle, then took a step back and dramatically lifted the wine, pouring it into the bowl but taking care not to touch the candle. As she stepped back, nothing happened for a moment. “Flame be vanquished,” she said. A moment later, the flame went out.
“How did you do that?” Orris asked, stepping forward. The wine was several inches below the wick.
“I’ve shown you what I can do,” Celsiana replied. “Let’s talk about what you can do for me.”
Orris glanced around. “If you’re half as good as you think you are, we may be able to find something for you.”
Celsiana followed him back to his office and leaned casually against the doorway as he rummaged through some papers. “I have a few possibilities, but nothing much until next month.”
“I need something sooner if possible.” Celsiana smiled. “My girl won’t wait forever.”
Orris nodded. “There’s something tomorrow night. I thought I had someone lined up, but he’s turned out to be less useful than I’d hoped.”
Celsiana told herself to stay calm as she tried not to look too interested. “Your guy not as good as he claimed?”
“Let’s just say he hasn’t been as cooperative as I’d expected.” Orris moved a few more papers.
“I’ll need to see the space,” Celsiana said, lightly running a finger along the doorframe. “To get the best results, the energy needs to flow through the area.”
“Fine,” Orris replied. “I’ve got some paperwork to finish but come back in half an hour, and I’ll take you there myself.” He paused. “Maybe, you can work with the guy I have. If not, I’ll find something else to do with him.”
Celsiana nodded and lazily pushed herself away from the doorframe. “I’ll be back.”
She did her best to swagger a bit as she left, hoping she didn’t look too ridiculous. As soon as she got outside, she hurried around the corner to find her friends.
“I think they’re holding Nicholas somewhere,” Celsiana said as she joined the others.
“What did they say?” Avaleen asked. “Is he all right?”
“I believe so,” Celsiana replied. She quickly told them what had happened, and that she’d have to return in half an hour.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Laurena said. “You got lucky once, but what if they want you to do more magic?”
“I doubt that will happen, but you can follow us.” Celsiana turned to Avaleen. “Once we get there, you and Laurena can find your parents and tell them where we are.”
“I appreciate you wanting to help,” Avaleen said, “and I love my brother, but you are our princess. I can’t ask you to take such a risk.”
“You’re not asking,” Celsiana reminded her. “I’m volunteering.” She took a breath and stood straighter. “Besides, it is my duty to protect the people of our kingdom. From external threats…and internal ones.”
Read another chapter on Friday!