Page 61 of The Queen’s Shadow

“That’s a good idea.” She said, “It will take a few days to brew, but I can tend to the potion during Board meeting intermissions.” She flipped open a small leather date book that she had pulled from her bag and nodded matter of factly. “We’re going into a waxing lunar cycle, so the time is right to brew. If I can get all the ingredients, I should be able to restock inventory before we head back to court.”

“The moon has something to do with it?” Dossidian asked. He looked as if he were going to step forward to read over her shoulder, then thought better of it.

“Yes. The waxing moon is an excellent time for drawing things in, or spells that build and help things to replenish or grow. Waning is better for pushing things away or repelling unwanted energies.” She explained before brusquely snapping her book shut and tucking it away in her bag.

Dossidian looked like he had wanted to ask more but thought better of it as she clicked her kit shut and slung it over her shoulder.

“I’m going to head out to the green house and see if I can find everything I need.” She announced.

I frowned at her. “Yuh sure yuh want to do dat now? Wi need tuh rest before di meeting. It could go all night. Wit di time change, it will be a lot.”

She nodded curtly at me. I knew that determined look on her face. When we were kids, she would always get that look when she was about to school me in our lessons.

“We can’t be without hemoglo. Especially if we’re sharing a roof with opposing council. There’s no guarantee they will play by Sofia’s rules. We need to be prepared.” She told me, leaving no room for argument. I nodded.

“A’right.”

She brushed past us and Dossidian grabbed her arm gently as she passed. Meredith turned back, surprised. He looked concerned, but also impressed.

“Be careful, Little Witch.” He told her softly, and she gave him a small smile.

“I’ve been coming here since I was small, I know my way around. No need to worry about me.” She brushed him off and left us alone together in her room.

We stood in awkward silence for a moment in Meredith’s absence. I realized I had never spent any time alone with Dossidian before. This felt like a good time to ask him if he would be willing to teach me how to use a sword.

“Are you going to try and get some sleep before the meeting later?” Dossidian finally asked me, and I shrugged.

“Uh…” I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, glancing down at the rapier and then back up at Dossidian. I wasn’t sure why I felt uncomfortable asking for his help. Asking for help was always difficult, I supposed. Luckily, he seemed to understand what I was going to ask, before I had the chance to even make the request.

“You want to train?” It was more of a statement than a question, I nodded, giving him a sheepish grin.

“If yuh too tired, no worries.” I said hastily, wanting to make sure he didn’t feel obligated.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t think I would be able to sleep anyway. Is there somewhere we can go where we will have space?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah. Der is a space dat wi use to practice magick. We can use dat. Di view is almost as nice as di training ring back at court.” I said and he grinned at me.

“Great. Lead the way.” He gestured to the door, and I nodded, loping out into the hallway, suddenly eager to get started.

Conrad

The training ring still took my breath away, despite having visited it so many times in my life.

The ring could be found several hundred yards away from the chalet. We followed a dirt foot trail that led through a thick line of towering coniferous trees. The circular space was tucked away on a scenic plateau made up of worn ancient cobblestones that had long since overgrown with soft green moss.

Panoramic views featured the rugged mountain landscape, with pristine flower speckled meadows stretching out in all directions. Rings of clouds curled around the tips of the alpine, and my blood thrilled as I inhaled the fresh air around us.

The elemental symbols for earth, air, fire and water were carved into the perimeter of the ring, lining up with their associated directions. The north end of the ring had a stone bowl filled with rainwater, the south end of the ring had a small pyre that burned with eternal flame. A large chunk of quartz marked the western point to represent earth and an ancient wind chime hung from an extended branch of a fir tree on the eastern side, representing air.

Dossidian looked around appreciatively, taking in the breathtaking view of the Italian mountainscape, before turning to me.

“This will do,” he smiled at me. “Do you have any experience with swordplay at all?” He asked and I shook my head, once again feeling shy.

“Nah. Not at all.” I admitted. He nodded, and removed his sabers from his back, tossing them outside of the ring.

“You won’t need that yet,” he said, gesturing to the shadowstone rapier that I had belted across my hip. “With a blade like that, you will need to work on precision, speed, and control. So, we will start with building muscle memory, and footwork.”

I nodded. I understood the importance of control more than anybody.