DWP FanFic - Queen's Witch - Chapter 4
For notes and disclaimers, see Chapter 1
Chapter 4 - I See Magic
Andy let her mind wander as she blindly followed the Queen back through the castle. She realized they arrived only after she had taken four steps into the dining room. Miranda went to the head to the table and motioned Andy towards a chair on her left. The twins were standing by their chairs on Miranda’s right. Andy waited for the Queen and Princesses to take their seats before she sat down.
As the servants brought in the first course, Andy closed her eyes and took several deep calming breaths. She relaxed her body and cleared her mind. When she opened her eyes and looked around the room she felt more centered and in control. The Queen and her daughters were waiting to be served and did not notice her distraction. “I don’t suppose you call this the Blue Room anymore?” Andy thought the green wall coverings bordered on bilious.
“Blue? No it’s been this color for as long as I can remember.” Miranda cast a considering look around the room. “We don’t use this room very often. I believe it is time to redecorate.” She motioned to one of the servants, “Inform Douglas that I want this room redone.” Having settled that matter, Miranda turned her attention to her daughters. “Cassidy how was today’s history lesson?”
Cassidy, formerly known by Andy as Princess Number Two, summarized the historical period being studied. When asked by her mother, Caroline added her opinion about the stupidity of one of their distant relatives. Andy chuckled in agreement as she worked on her soup.
The twins kept glancing at each other as they ate. Finally Cassidy asked, “When did you become a witch?”
Andy was impressed that the girls held out as long as they did. “Well, I’ve always been a witch, Princess. When the midwife handed me to my mother she said ‘I see magic in her’.”
Cassidy glanced at Caroline and saw the slight nod.
“May I ask the both of you a question?” Andy pushed aside her bowl. Seeing the nods she continued, “When did you realize you had magic?”
“When we saw the colors,” Cassidy explained. “Mom told us that meant a person had some kind of magic.”
Caroline nodded at her sister’s comments. “Yeah, and because we saw the colors, it meant we had magic too.”
“The colors are called auras,” Andy explained. “Sometimes you can figure out what type of magic a person has by the color of their aura. For example, Princess Cassidy, you have a pink aura and-”
“No, you’re lying,” interrupted Caroline.
Andy gave her a big smile. “Right, Princess Caroline. Her aura is light blue. Yours on the other hand is a light green. You know when someone is telling the truth or not.”
“Yes. Can you tell what kind of magic Cassidy has?” Caroline was excited to be discussing magic with someone other than her mother.
“Princess Cassidy is able to ask the right questions.” Andy studied the little girl and considered what else the aura showed. “I bet there are times that she can pick up someone’s thoughts. Do you see visions?”
“Sometimes,” Cassidy said shyly. “Not all the time. Only once in a while.”
“It probably depends on the person you’re dealing with. Strong emotions make it easier to see what someone is thinking about.” Andy turned her attention back to Caroline. “I’m guessing you can also pick up on people’s emotions, like whether they are happy or sad. Right?”
“Yes.” The sisters looked at each other and then their mother. “What color is Mom’s aura?”
Andy studied the Queen. “Your mom has a golden light surrounding her.” Andy paused and looked deeper. “Her Majesty has very strong magic. She has each of your talents and a few others.” Andy was actually surprised at the strength of Miranda’s magic.
“Of course, she’s the Queen,” the girls said emphatically.
After a gentle admonishment from Miranda, everyone continued with dinner. While the girls and Miranda discussed their plans for the next day, Andy quietly observed their interactions and considered the magical potential of the royals.
She didn’t notice Miranda’s aura earlier because she had too much on her mind. In fact, unless she was consciously looking, Andy didn’t pay attention to auras. Since most people had some degree of magic, Andy found it annoying to sort out the rainbow of colors swirling around. Andy could tell Miranda had serious potential. With just a bit more power and training, Miranda would be considered a witch. The twins’ talents would be quite useful then they were grown and ruling the kingdom. Although, they could learn to use their talents effectively, they would never achieve the strength of their mother’s magic.
When dinner was finished the twins went to their rooms with a promise from their mother that she would be in before they went to bed. The adults retired to Miranda’s study and Andy was relieved that this room held no surprising portraits. The room was slightly smaller than Queen Katherine’s sitting room and was simply furnished. A fireplace with two chairs was opposite a wall filled with windows. The curtains were drawn but Andy knew that the view of the garden below would be lovely during the day. A large desk with a leather covered chair was centered in front of the windows and faced the room. Andy could see several documents stacked on one corner of the desk and an oil lamp on the other. Bookshelves ran along the wall between the fireplace and windows and were filled with books of different sizes and ages. Lamps set around the room gave a warm glow to the dark wood paneling.
Miranda gestured for Andy to take one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplace as she sat in the other. A small table sat between the chairs and held a decanter and two glasses. “Would you like a drink,” Miranda asked as she filled one glass.
“Thanks.” Andy pointed to the fireplace, “Would you like me to start a fire?”
“Please.” Miranda handed Andy a glass with amber liquid.
The logs and tinder were already set so when Andy waved her hand flames leapt to life. Miranda raised an eyebrow and gave Andy a small nod. Andy smirked and sipped her drink.
“Your majesty-”
“While in private call me Miranda. It will save time in our conversations if we drop the titles. The same goes with the girls.”
Andy raised her glass to Miranda. “As you wish, Miranda. Tell me about your problems with Ravitz.”
“A few years ago, the man showed up in Nashtania and made an alliance with Queen Jacqueline. Supposedly he is a minor king from the eastern continent. Jacqueline allowed him unprecedented latitude in participating in the running of her government. Ravitz used that latitude to build up the military and enter into alliances, both personal and political, with the neighboring countries. He then had the gall to make overtures to my daughters. He didn’t take my answer well.” Miranda still seethed at the audacity of the man.
“Yes, I heard about that. I also heard he doesn’t care much for magic users.”
Miranda nodded. “Another latitude. Nashtania as a whole and Jacqueline personally hadn’t shown much interest in magic previously. Now with Ravitz in charge, magic has been criminalized and the entire population cowed.”
Andy sipped her drink and watched the fire. “What’s his deal?” she mused. “What does he gain?”
Miranda considered what she knew of the man and the political standing of various regional players. “I had thought he just wanted economic power. He approached me regarding a trade alliance and use of the port of Clarke. But if it was just economics, why has he invested so much in the military.” Miranda shook her head. “The only logical explanation is a power grab. He’s moving to take over all of the larger kingdoms.
“With Nashtania, Condenet, and Warneria, Ravitz would have a powerful base to wage war on Eliasa. If he were successful, he would control most of the continent. He could take his time conquering the smaller kingdoms.” This was the only explanation that made sense to Miranda. And the one that concerned her the most.
“Nobody learns,” Andy sighed. “Nashtania, Condent, and Warneria were one country generations ago. The rulers couldn’t keep it together and it split into five different kingdoms.”
“Hmmm, I thought it was six,” mused Miranda.
“Oh yeah,” Andy agreed. “I always forget about Diora. They got conquered fairly soon after declaring independence.
“But the point is one tyrant can’t adequately control a really large kingdom for very long. All Ravitz is going to do is start a war that will last for years. Once Ravitz passes, his heirs won’t be able to hold it together.” Andy shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I’m going to have to go to Nashtania and look around.”
“Is that really wise? You can have access to the various reports and dispatches my people have gathered. Surely it will be too dangerous to go where your magic makes you a criminal.” Miranda did not want Andrea to put herself in harm’s way for Eliasa’s sake.
Andy shook her head. “No, I need to see for myself. I will take you up on the offer to review the intelligence you’ve gathered. If you have any information on the rest of your neighbors I’d like to look at that too.”
“Of course. Are you looking for anything in particular?” Miranda considered which of the various reports and dispatches would be the most useful.
“No, just current information. I’m going to have to come up with a cover story if I plan on showing up on their doorstep.” She had been gone so long that she had to start from scratch.
“I’ll see that you are provided with everything we have in the morning. It’s a little late to gather everything tonight.” Miranda considered who she would task with gathering the information.
“Tomorrow is good.” Andy stood and set her glass down. “Thank you for dinner. I’m tired so I should get back to the inn.”
Miranda watched as Andy stretched and moved towards the door. “Tomorrow bring your things when you come. I’ll see that rooms are readied for you.”
“Thank you, Miranda.” Andy was touched by the Queen’s offer.
Miranda sniffed and waved her hand. “It would be more efficient if you stayed here.”
“Of course, good night Miranda.” Andy bowed and let herself out.
Miranda stared at the door before pouring herself another drink and turning to stare into the fire. Sipping her drink, she considered what she knew about Andrea from her research and what she learned from meeting the flesh and blood woman.
The portrait in the Queen’s sitting room was an adequate representation of Andréa’s looks. None of the descriptions contained in various journals were able to fully capture the woman’s essence. Amelia’s journal came the closest, but Miranda understood that the written word was a poor substitute to being in the same room with Andrea. Mere words and portraits could not adequately convey the light in Andrea’s large brown eyes or the smile that lit up the room. Although her robes hid Andrea’s curves, the brief glimpse Miranda got earlier was enough to fire her imagination.
Miranda shook her head. “It is too soon to be imagining Andrea without robes. I need sleep.” With that final thought, Miranda finished her drink and rang for a servant to take care of the fire before checking on her daughters and retiring to her chambers.
Chapter 5 - Memories
Chapter 4 - I See Magic
Andy let her mind wander as she blindly followed the Queen back through the castle. She realized they arrived only after she had taken four steps into the dining room. Miranda went to the head to the table and motioned Andy towards a chair on her left. The twins were standing by their chairs on Miranda’s right. Andy waited for the Queen and Princesses to take their seats before she sat down.
As the servants brought in the first course, Andy closed her eyes and took several deep calming breaths. She relaxed her body and cleared her mind. When she opened her eyes and looked around the room she felt more centered and in control. The Queen and her daughters were waiting to be served and did not notice her distraction. “I don’t suppose you call this the Blue Room anymore?” Andy thought the green wall coverings bordered on bilious.
“Blue? No it’s been this color for as long as I can remember.” Miranda cast a considering look around the room. “We don’t use this room very often. I believe it is time to redecorate.” She motioned to one of the servants, “Inform Douglas that I want this room redone.” Having settled that matter, Miranda turned her attention to her daughters. “Cassidy how was today’s history lesson?”
Cassidy, formerly known by Andy as Princess Number Two, summarized the historical period being studied. When asked by her mother, Caroline added her opinion about the stupidity of one of their distant relatives. Andy chuckled in agreement as she worked on her soup.
The twins kept glancing at each other as they ate. Finally Cassidy asked, “When did you become a witch?”
Andy was impressed that the girls held out as long as they did. “Well, I’ve always been a witch, Princess. When the midwife handed me to my mother she said ‘I see magic in her’.”
Cassidy glanced at Caroline and saw the slight nod.
“May I ask the both of you a question?” Andy pushed aside her bowl. Seeing the nods she continued, “When did you realize you had magic?”
“When we saw the colors,” Cassidy explained. “Mom told us that meant a person had some kind of magic.”
Caroline nodded at her sister’s comments. “Yeah, and because we saw the colors, it meant we had magic too.”
“The colors are called auras,” Andy explained. “Sometimes you can figure out what type of magic a person has by the color of their aura. For example, Princess Cassidy, you have a pink aura and-”
“No, you’re lying,” interrupted Caroline.
Andy gave her a big smile. “Right, Princess Caroline. Her aura is light blue. Yours on the other hand is a light green. You know when someone is telling the truth or not.”
“Yes. Can you tell what kind of magic Cassidy has?” Caroline was excited to be discussing magic with someone other than her mother.
“Princess Cassidy is able to ask the right questions.” Andy studied the little girl and considered what else the aura showed. “I bet there are times that she can pick up someone’s thoughts. Do you see visions?”
“Sometimes,” Cassidy said shyly. “Not all the time. Only once in a while.”
“It probably depends on the person you’re dealing with. Strong emotions make it easier to see what someone is thinking about.” Andy turned her attention back to Caroline. “I’m guessing you can also pick up on people’s emotions, like whether they are happy or sad. Right?”
“Yes.” The sisters looked at each other and then their mother. “What color is Mom’s aura?”
Andy studied the Queen. “Your mom has a golden light surrounding her.” Andy paused and looked deeper. “Her Majesty has very strong magic. She has each of your talents and a few others.” Andy was actually surprised at the strength of Miranda’s magic.
“Of course, she’s the Queen,” the girls said emphatically.
After a gentle admonishment from Miranda, everyone continued with dinner. While the girls and Miranda discussed their plans for the next day, Andy quietly observed their interactions and considered the magical potential of the royals.
She didn’t notice Miranda’s aura earlier because she had too much on her mind. In fact, unless she was consciously looking, Andy didn’t pay attention to auras. Since most people had some degree of magic, Andy found it annoying to sort out the rainbow of colors swirling around. Andy could tell Miranda had serious potential. With just a bit more power and training, Miranda would be considered a witch. The twins’ talents would be quite useful then they were grown and ruling the kingdom. Although, they could learn to use their talents effectively, they would never achieve the strength of their mother’s magic.
When dinner was finished the twins went to their rooms with a promise from their mother that she would be in before they went to bed. The adults retired to Miranda’s study and Andy was relieved that this room held no surprising portraits. The room was slightly smaller than Queen Katherine’s sitting room and was simply furnished. A fireplace with two chairs was opposite a wall filled with windows. The curtains were drawn but Andy knew that the view of the garden below would be lovely during the day. A large desk with a leather covered chair was centered in front of the windows and faced the room. Andy could see several documents stacked on one corner of the desk and an oil lamp on the other. Bookshelves ran along the wall between the fireplace and windows and were filled with books of different sizes and ages. Lamps set around the room gave a warm glow to the dark wood paneling.
Miranda gestured for Andy to take one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplace as she sat in the other. A small table sat between the chairs and held a decanter and two glasses. “Would you like a drink,” Miranda asked as she filled one glass.
“Thanks.” Andy pointed to the fireplace, “Would you like me to start a fire?”
“Please.” Miranda handed Andy a glass with amber liquid.
The logs and tinder were already set so when Andy waved her hand flames leapt to life. Miranda raised an eyebrow and gave Andy a small nod. Andy smirked and sipped her drink.
“Your majesty-”
“While in private call me Miranda. It will save time in our conversations if we drop the titles. The same goes with the girls.”
Andy raised her glass to Miranda. “As you wish, Miranda. Tell me about your problems with Ravitz.”
“A few years ago, the man showed up in Nashtania and made an alliance with Queen Jacqueline. Supposedly he is a minor king from the eastern continent. Jacqueline allowed him unprecedented latitude in participating in the running of her government. Ravitz used that latitude to build up the military and enter into alliances, both personal and political, with the neighboring countries. He then had the gall to make overtures to my daughters. He didn’t take my answer well.” Miranda still seethed at the audacity of the man.
“Yes, I heard about that. I also heard he doesn’t care much for magic users.”
Miranda nodded. “Another latitude. Nashtania as a whole and Jacqueline personally hadn’t shown much interest in magic previously. Now with Ravitz in charge, magic has been criminalized and the entire population cowed.”
Andy sipped her drink and watched the fire. “What’s his deal?” she mused. “What does he gain?”
Miranda considered what she knew of the man and the political standing of various regional players. “I had thought he just wanted economic power. He approached me regarding a trade alliance and use of the port of Clarke. But if it was just economics, why has he invested so much in the military.” Miranda shook her head. “The only logical explanation is a power grab. He’s moving to take over all of the larger kingdoms.
“With Nashtania, Condenet, and Warneria, Ravitz would have a powerful base to wage war on Eliasa. If he were successful, he would control most of the continent. He could take his time conquering the smaller kingdoms.” This was the only explanation that made sense to Miranda. And the one that concerned her the most.
“Nobody learns,” Andy sighed. “Nashtania, Condent, and Warneria were one country generations ago. The rulers couldn’t keep it together and it split into five different kingdoms.”
“Hmmm, I thought it was six,” mused Miranda.
“Oh yeah,” Andy agreed. “I always forget about Diora. They got conquered fairly soon after declaring independence.
“But the point is one tyrant can’t adequately control a really large kingdom for very long. All Ravitz is going to do is start a war that will last for years. Once Ravitz passes, his heirs won’t be able to hold it together.” Andy shut her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I’m going to have to go to Nashtania and look around.”
“Is that really wise? You can have access to the various reports and dispatches my people have gathered. Surely it will be too dangerous to go where your magic makes you a criminal.” Miranda did not want Andrea to put herself in harm’s way for Eliasa’s sake.
Andy shook her head. “No, I need to see for myself. I will take you up on the offer to review the intelligence you’ve gathered. If you have any information on the rest of your neighbors I’d like to look at that too.”
“Of course. Are you looking for anything in particular?” Miranda considered which of the various reports and dispatches would be the most useful.
“No, just current information. I’m going to have to come up with a cover story if I plan on showing up on their doorstep.” She had been gone so long that she had to start from scratch.
“I’ll see that you are provided with everything we have in the morning. It’s a little late to gather everything tonight.” Miranda considered who she would task with gathering the information.
“Tomorrow is good.” Andy stood and set her glass down. “Thank you for dinner. I’m tired so I should get back to the inn.”
Miranda watched as Andy stretched and moved towards the door. “Tomorrow bring your things when you come. I’ll see that rooms are readied for you.”
“Thank you, Miranda.” Andy was touched by the Queen’s offer.
Miranda sniffed and waved her hand. “It would be more efficient if you stayed here.”
“Of course, good night Miranda.” Andy bowed and let herself out.
Miranda stared at the door before pouring herself another drink and turning to stare into the fire. Sipping her drink, she considered what she knew about Andrea from her research and what she learned from meeting the flesh and blood woman.
The portrait in the Queen’s sitting room was an adequate representation of Andréa’s looks. None of the descriptions contained in various journals were able to fully capture the woman’s essence. Amelia’s journal came the closest, but Miranda understood that the written word was a poor substitute to being in the same room with Andrea. Mere words and portraits could not adequately convey the light in Andrea’s large brown eyes or the smile that lit up the room. Although her robes hid Andrea’s curves, the brief glimpse Miranda got earlier was enough to fire her imagination.
Miranda shook her head. “It is too soon to be imagining Andrea without robes. I need sleep.” With that final thought, Miranda finished her drink and rang for a servant to take care of the fire before checking on her daughters and retiring to her chambers.
Chapter 5 - Memories