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Z elda needed a break from her battle with the castle, so she went to the market to clear her head.

The smell of spicy grilled meat filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of Goblin coffee imported from the south.

If she kept the caravans going, they would have lots of imported goods, and the town would thrive.

No, she didn't come here to think about work, she reminded herself. She could do that later.

She enjoyed buying snacks, but the best thing for her was watching the Craftsman.

There was something very satisfying about seeing raw materials being made into beautiful rugs or carvings.

She ducked under an awning, blinded by the sudden change in light, when something whizzed past her nose, slicing it.

Zelda stumbled back and smacked her nose, crying out as something else sliced her hand, grazing her knuckles.

Her guards surged forward, and chaos reigned as they looked for the assassin.

“Let me see,” a guard said, prying her hands away from her nose.

“Ooh, that'll leave a mark.” He saw her outraged expression and quickly added, “It's just a little scratch. It will leave a rakish scar. Good story over a pint of beer.”

She didn't want a good drinking scar! Zelda pushed past him, itching to get her hands on whoever had done this.

And that's when the guards dragged Lady Divine in front of her. The girl was disheveled but defiant. “It wasn't me! I didn't do it.”

A guard raised a small crossbow. “She had this.”

“How dare you! It's not mine,” Lady Divine insisted, struggling against the guard that held her. “I'm innocent!”

“Would have got you in the temple if she had better aim,” observed the guard as he tied a cloth around Zelda's bleeding hand.

Blood ran down Zelda's face and trickled into her mouth, putting her in a foul mood. “I think we need to have a sisterly chat,” she said, snarling. “Bring her to the castle.”

***

O ZZY SHOWED UP THAT evening, fresh from a hunting trip. He looked at her face and relaxed. “It's just a little scratch,” he said soothingly. “Rumors were flying, and I was afraid it was something serious. That will actually look cute when it heals.”

Zelda, who was more vain than the average Goblin, stared at him in outrage. She didn't share the goblin belief that scars showed battle metal; at least, not when it came to her own face. Maybe she had more in common with her horrible sister than she thought.

“Where is your sister? In the dungeon?” Ozzy asked. “I don't suppose there's much use in questioning her. You already know why she did it, but I'm happy to help, if you like.”

That actually made her feel better. It was practical help, at least. “I'll consider it. I didn't want to deal with her right away. I would probably just rip her head off and be done with it.”

“Public executions can be more useful,” he suggested. “They make great deterrents.”

Zelda stared broodingly into her fancy new glass and swallowed the last of her whiskey. “I suppose I should get it over with, since you came all the way up here. You can serve as a witness.”

Her Uncle Tank came in just as they were leaving.

“Headed to the dungeon? I'll come along.” His armor creaked as they walked.

“I got rid of her parents by the way, sent them back home.

Told them there was no use hanging around by the gates, you weren't going to talk to them.” He looked grumpy.

“They should have raised her better if they didn't want her to end up like this. Anyone could have seen this coming.”

Ozzy glanced at her grim expression. “Plenty of people in the market witnessed the incident.”

“Yes.” If she didn't say something, they would keep trying to make her feel better. She didn't need coddling, she needed to get her game face on.

***

Z ELDA SAT ON A THRONE the castle had helpfully formed, taking her time as her sister cursed her from behind bars. Ozzy and Uncle Tank flanked her, their faces grim in the lantern light.

Zelda glanced at her sister and a chain rose out of the floor like a snake. The collar on the end clamped around her neck. It retracted, pulling Lady Divine to her knees.

The bars sank into the floor, giving her a nice clear view.

Lady Divine sneered, not cowed in the least. “Nice face! Tell me it hurts.”

Zelda smiled. “I'm thinking of letting you experience it yourself. If we go with the public execution, we could strap you to a board and saw through your face. What do you think? Would it draw a crowd? The merchants would thank me.”

The prisoner shut up...for a whole five seconds. “Go ahead! You're going to kill me anyway.”

At least she had spirit. That could be useful.

Zelda considered Lady Divine. This would have to be carefully managed. “What is it you want out of life? Power? Money?”

Lady Divine didn't hesitate. “I want to be famous. I want everyone to know my name,” she said defiantly. Her eyes narrowed. “I want to bury you.”

She wasn't an ounce sorry.

Redbone shifted, but he didn't intervene.

Zelda appreciated that. She studied her nails. “Hm. And am I in your way?”

“You don't deserve this. It was just handed to you. It should be mine!” Her sister practically foamed at the mouth with rage.

She had rivers of motivation. The question was, could it be directed?

Zelda stared into the distance thoughtfully. “Famous, huh? How about a wager?”

“What kind of wager?” Lady Divine asked suspiciously.

“It won't be easy. I'm not even sure you're up to it.”

“Just spit it out,” Lady Divine said contemptuously.

“Fine. Bring me the Beast Queen's head, and I will erect a statue to you in the town square. I will commission a book about you, to be read to every generation of children. I will hire teachers to teach those children to read so they can read the book to their children. Your legend will never be forgotten.”

Lady Divine stared at her, captivated.

“And we will build you a house. Every door frame will be carved in stone with your name and pictures of your story.”

Lady Divine took a shaky breath. “How do I know you will keep your word?”

“We will sign the contract in front of witnesses. Although it's a difficult thing. I don't know if you want to try, but it will keep me from ordering someone to chop off your head for trying to kill me.”

“Why not just kill her?” Ozzy asked, recognizing his cue. He looked at Lady Divine with contempt. “It's a death sentence anyway, and she's too stupid to pull it off.”

“The crossbow was very clumsy,” Uncle Tank added critically.

Lady Divine's eyes narrowed, hard with determination. “Show me the contract.”

***

“Y OU'RE GOING TO SEND a teenage girl after the Beast queen?” Uncle Tank asked, watching Ozzy's men escort Lady Divine away at first light. He still sounded doubtful.

“I am,” Zelda said with satisfaction. Her sister was like a dog with a bone. If she really was committed to being famous, Zelda had just given her the opportunity of a lifetime. That kind of drive could accomplish wonders.

Of course, she could still try and sneak back here and kill Zelda, but the payoff wasn't nearly as great. It was a gamble.

“Do you think it will work?” It was evident he was deeply skeptical.

“Well, she's proved she won't balk at murder, which makes her a good candidate for the job.” If she died in the attempt, it would keep her from bothering Zelda.

If she tried to show up without the Beast Queen's head, she would be shot on sight.

Win, win.