Page 6 of Winter Goddess
"It's like grazing. There's magic all around, it just needs to be lapped up. And in a Palace like this, the magic is almost overflowing. I can taste it. You just need to show me to a place where there's lots of magic being used, and I'll be happy."
I think for a moment. "One of the training courtyards is probably the best. There should be lots of magic there."
I lead Blaze through the Palace, probably earning a lot of curious glances. For once, I'm glad I can't see people's faces. I'm not sure many of them have ever seen a unicorn before. My Guardians said that Blaze was the only one they ever met, and they've travelled a lot more than most Palace inhabitants.
When we enter the closest training courtyard, there are a few Guardians running around, shooting magic at each other. Most of the fighting lessons has been postponed to make way for war preparations, but a few are still taking place for the least experienced Guardians. My mother stopped creating new ones long ago, but some of the other strong Gods and Goddesses still create Guardians occasionally, many of which end up here at the Palace to serve, entertain and probably spy on us.
When the first one sees us, he shrieks and takes his eyes off his opponent. I swipe away the ball of fire that would have hit him and shoo them away. They bow and run. Am I really this scary?
"You could have let them stay," Blaze complains. "Their magic tasted good."
I shrug. "Too late. Is there enough food for you here?"
He lowers his head to the ground and his horn begins to sparkle even more. With my new senses, I can see how magic is being pulled from the environment into his horn. Fascinating.
"Will this take long?" I ask him, watching as more and more magic is slowly dragged towards Blaze.
"Yummy," the unicorn says, sounding as if he's chewing something. "Maybe an hour, maybe two. There's a lot of magic here. Such a waste. I should come more often."
An hour? Seriously? Then again, our big feasts take a lot longer than that, so I guess I should cut him some slack.
"I'll leave you alone to enjoy your meal. Just tell a guard when you're ready and I'll come back."
Blaze doesn't answer, too occupied with munching magic.
I smile and leave him to it, heading back to the Council chambers.
* * *
I can hearthe noise from far away. It must be a lively session. The Council has been less divided since I disposed of Magnus, the treasurer, and replaced him with Anthony, but there's always a lot of debate. All the members of the Council are used to being experts in their particular field and don't usually get a lot of criticism.
I sigh and enter the room without warning. They all fall silent. Good.
I head to my almost-throne at the top of the table and sit, staring them down.
"What's the problem?" I ask after letting them wait for a few seconds, turning to Tamara.
"While you were gone, we got news. The clone is dead."
"The fake Crispin?"
After Arc interrogated him and we found out where the Morrigan was hiding, I'd not given any thought to him. He was to stay in the dungeons forever. I couldn't kill him, not when he looked so much like Crispin. Arc told me that he was nothing like Crispin inside, but no, executing him wasn't an option. So I'd told the guards that he was to remain in prison indefinitely.
"Yes," Tamara responds. "He was found dead an hour ago. They've not been able to establish how he died yet, but there are no obvious wounds."
"He was stripped and searched when he was put in his cell, so it can't have been poison," healer Theodore says confidently.
I shake my head. "It could have been if someone gave it to him. Or maybe the Morrigan can kill her creations from a distance?"
Theodore nods grudgingly. "I will examine him after this meeting."
"I will come with you," I announce. His aura turns darker; I bet his expression sours as well. He doesn't like me, but I don't know why. Not that I'm a big fan of him either.
"Now, what else is there that we need to discuss?"
Tamara looks at the papers in front of her. "We now have letters from several Gods where they confirm in writing that they're going to support us. Most of them have promised a relatively small number of warriors, probably wanting to see how you'll respond. I recommend asking for at least double of what they propose."
I nod. "Do it."
