Page 28 of Feathered Thief

Kazik took a quick step back, his thunder swiped from beneath his nose. “Youadmitto having fay magic?”

Was a World Council mage with fay magiclegal? Not that anyone should be held accountable for his ancestry, but . . .

The mage raised his light ball and shoved back his hood to reveal a pale boyish face with sharp features, silvery eyes, and a mop of white hair. “Don’t judge my youthful appearance. I recently celebrated my fortieth birthday, and the Council trusts me with this situation, although they are all monitoring my work. I have sworn a solemn oath to right wrongs and to restore justice and harmony to the kingdoms, duchies, principalities, baronies and so forth of Wroclaw to the best of my ability and power.”

“Great-sounding goals, but I still require a straight answer from you. Tell me why you placed everyone in this castle under a sleeping spell.”

Bogumil’s gaze shifted from side to side. “Well, you see, I relocated the first two treasures and their pocket-world prisons without using a sleeping spell, and the residents of those castles seemed . . . agitated. So, I allowed the humans of this castle to rest while waiting for their spell to be broken. Any quester who comes this far will have already broken the spells on the first two castles.”

“I see,” Kazik lied; his mind was boggled. “ButI didn’t even know about those spells, much less break them, and I came this far.”

Bogumil brushed it off. “You’re an anomaly. Yes, this is the third and final test of any rescuer who wishes to break the Curses of Gold, as I’ve titled this epic adventure, although technically the spells aren’t curses. Each of the tests challenges the quester’s character, but the rules are simple. For this third and final curse I crafted a restful sleep that pauses the aging process. Whenever the winner kisses the princess, these sleepers will also awaken and immediately resume aging. The sleepers are perfectly content, comfortable, and happy. Look closer if you doubt.” A wave of his hand produced a live lantern.

Accepting the light, Kazik glanced around the courtyard and saw Iga gently nosing a pony standing in his harness, still hitched to a cart while fast asleep. The mare gave him “the look,” and Kazik took her hint. She and Bogumil watched while he unhitched the shaggy little beast and removed his harness. Before Kazik could back away, the pony buckled his knees and flopped over with a contented snorty sigh.

Iga gave her human’s shoulder a bunt of approval.

“You really needn’t have bothered; the pony was comfortable already. They all are.” Bogumil indicated the array of sleepers with an all-inclusive gesture. “Nevertheless, it was kindly meant.”

Kazik didn’t know whether to resent the mage’s superior air or find him amusing. He settled on both options.

Looking more confident, Bogumil said, “Now, you must search the castle for Princess . . . um, what is her name?”

“Helena.”

“Ah, yes. Helena. Your help is essential, since I do not know what she looks like. Make it quick.”

“You want me to bring Princess Helena to you?”

“Or you could bring me to her. No harm will come to the young woman; I am agoodfairy godfather. The golden princess is key to the success of my mission.” He spoke with all the charm of a drill instructor.

“Good to know, good fairy.”

Bogumil gave him a gracious nod.

So, were all fay beings unable to process sarcasm, or was it just this one?

“What exactly do you mean by ‘golden’ princess?” Kazik asked.

The mage visibly stiffened. “I was informed that the princess of Castle Valga has long golden hair.”

“She does, but why is her hair color connected with saving Wroclaw?”

Visibly relieved, Bogumil looked down his long nose at Kazik. “The three elements I have chosen to play a key role in my corrective plan for this grand duchy are all golden and magical.”

“Why?”

“Why not? The three diverse creatures of gold—in hue if not in essence—shall anchor my civilizational curse-cure.”

“Did you just call it a ‘curse-cure’? If that isn’t an oxymoron, I don’t know what is!” Kazik folded his arms and lowered one brow.

“Do not regard me with judgment in your heart, human. This type of curse brings about restoration, not destruction. Have you never encountered such a spiritual paradox?”

Kazik opened his mouth to mock the mage, then paused to reconsider.

“Now”—Bogumil made a shooing motion—“find her for me. The other two elements and the stumbling block and the guide are now in place, so once the golden princess is situated, the Restorative Quest Curse of Wroclaw will commence.”

“Have you done something like this before?” Kazik inquired. “And how many names does this curse go by? I’ve counted two now.”

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