Page 27 of Feathered Thief

“Yes.” Kazik’s mind was spinning. “What is the WMC?”

“The World Magic Council, of course. Will you recognize the princess if you see her sleeping?”

Since the mage hadn’t tried to compel him, Kazik again answered, “Yes,” while looking around. Helena had to be here somewhere. “What is this World Magic Council? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Excellent!” The stranger’s demeanor brightened. “Go on and find her; the castle’s doors are open.” He made a shooing motion.

Kazik narrowed his eyes. “Why do you need her?”

“Ah! You see, the Crown Princess of Zyrardów plays a crucial role in a sequence of spells—curses, if you will—that must be broken before this land can be healed. It’s all quite simple. Each test reveals character. Each success releases a prize. Only an honest, brave, and selfless soul will prevail. Truly a brilliant scheme, if I do say so myself.”

“What if?—?”

“As a special agent of the recently reconvened World Magic Council, I’ve been granted discretionary authority to restore justice and peace to Ostrów and its vassal states, using all legal magical means at my disposal. I hope to inspire these humans to better behavior.”

“How doesthisinspire better behavior?” Kazik indicated the sleepers. “And what do you mean by ‘these humans’? Aren’t you human?” He already knew the answer.

The mage’s mouth, the only bit of his face Kazik could see beneath that hood, formed a thin line. “I have some human blood. And if you cannot conceive of reformation for the fallen, I have little hope for you.”

This mage was off his nut. “Now, you say you’re placingcursesall over Ostrów? What right do you—? What if no one comes to break these curses?”

The mage ignored the question. “The princess will wake for a period every evening and bathe in the marvelous hot tubs and crystalline pools hidden behind the castle. It’s a marvelous place.” His voice briefly brightened, then flattened again. “The spell breaker must approach her before she—um, modestly attired, of course—steps into the bath, and then give her a kiss.”

Anger rushed through Kazik. “I’m the only person who’s going to kiss Helena!”

The mage ignored him. “As soon as the hero’s kiss breaks this enchantment and he claims the final golden treasure, theentire land will be restored, and the princess, her rescuer, and his other prizes will return in triumph to the grand celebration at Mnisztwo Castle.”

“How many other rules are involved?”

“A good many. Why do you ask?”

“Will all contestants be briefed on these rules?”

“I have provided a mentor to guide each contestant through the puzzle.” A smug smile curled the mage’s lips.

“And this mentor will share the rules and show the way?”

“Yes, that is his purpose as a mentor, which he must fulfill.” The mage spoke with exaggerated patience.

“Did he volunteer for this position?”

The mage tilted his head, pondering the question. “Let us say, he is highly motivated to see the enchantments broken.”

“Right. If any contestant manages to remember and follow every random rule you’ve made up, I will eat my helmet. And, as I just said,Ishall wake Princess Helena with a kiss. She is my betrothed.”

“That is unfortunate.” The mage shook his head. “But if you wish to be the spell-breaker, you’ll need to start at the beginning of the treasure hunt like everyone else. You’re rather short for a hero, but you seem motivated enough. Why not have fun with it?”

Kazik scowled. “You’ve mentioned treasure twice now.Whattreasure?”

The strange mage appeared to choose his words carefully. “I was ordered to probe claims of unlawful magic, including magical-wealth hoarding?—”

“Like, gold coins and jewels, that type of wealth?”

“—and possible use of dark magic centralized in the grand duchy of Ostrów. The entire land of Wroclaw is subject to investigation, but my role . . .” He shoved a parchment under Kazik’s nose. “Here.”

He accepted it mostly in self-defense. It was written in an unfamiliar language, yet Kazik found that he could read it. “World Magic Council.” The information in the manuscript’s body mostly matched what the mage had just rattled off, so he handed it back. “I see your name is Bogumil. Does this council know that you are?—”

“Bogumil is one of my names, yes, and the Council selected me for my unique fay powers.”

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