The Magus Provectus
series
Vol. 1 - Ensnared Intruder
Β§1
"Release me at once!" she shouted at me as I entered my chambers. Her eyes were wide with fury and though I could not say how long she`d been trapped, the disheveled state of her hair and simple dress told me she didn`t resign to her fate without a willful struggle.
"Didn`t you hear me, pervert!? I demand you free me, right this instance!" The attractiveness of her face wasn`t diminished by her flared nostrils and stubbornly set jaw, in fact; this was perhaps the most animated I`d seen her since we first met. Astounding what wonders a little aggravation can do to break through even the most rigid of politely condescending masks.
"I swear by the Father if you don`t-!" The rest of her threat was muffled as I swiftly conjured a gag in her mouth. The loud noises of the feast raging in the castle meant that even had she screamed at the top of her lungs nobody would hear her, so silencing her wasn't strictly necessary. But my head was throbbing enough without her verbal assault beating my eardrums into submission. "Please forgive me for the gag, Violet." I sighed in apology, "these blasted banquets never fail to leave me with a splitting headache."
Her eyes fixated angrily on mine as I massaged my forehead.
Huh, caramel brown with gold flecks,
I noted absently as I stared back at her,
how have I never noticed that before?
I drew in a slow, deep breath and calmly took in the scene before me.
Β§2
Magnificent sorcerer that I am, I had of course secured my chambers with various traps, centered around the most valuable or dangerous items in my possession. For instance; my collection of swords would pin down an intruder if he came to close and my rug act surprisingly similar to sentient quicksand to anyone unlucky enough to step on it.
Violet had apparently triggered one of my more elegant snares. A silken rope that would tightly bind and hoist the wrists of anyone trying to tamper with my alchemy supplies. A small smile tugged the corner of my mouth as I beheld my well-functioning enchantment.
Not that I had any reason to doubt myself,
I thought sarcastically,
Everything I attempt always works out soooo well.
My dry chuckle must have given the bound girl the impression I was amused by her misfortune as her eyes blazed and she tried furiously to kick my shins. Still rubbing my temples I waited for her tirade to eb, taking the time to inspect my suspended and gagged guest.
The young girl, or rather young woman, as she wasn`t much younger than my own three decades, had been in service to our princess for nearly five years now. Violet didn`t have a last name or family, though this didn`t stop her from possessing a tremendous amount of pride and displaying a quiet, sometimes nearly disdainful dignity in courtly daily life. In fact, as far as I can remember I`d never received a single friendly word or glance from her, while she nevertheless adhered to a rigid politeness when dealing with me on behalf of her mistress.
I will admit that her feisty demeanor does have a certain alure... In its own way. Even if she isn`t much to look at...
I mused. I knew that my opinion was shared by more than a few of the courts noblemen, both young and old. Violet`s figure was lean and though definitely rounded, didn`t match up to the more desired and buxom women of local stock.
Her face held a rigid symmetry, accented by her strong, prideful jaw. Her pale, yet full, lips always carefully held in a haughty straight line as her eyes betrayed neither warmth nor disdain. The only person with which she seemed to relinquish her stiff demeanor was the princess, yet even then smiles were a rare sight on her coldly appealing face.
Nonetheless, it seemed as though she was never shy of hopeful suitors, be they serious or simple trying to make good on a drunken boast of their own skills in artful seduction. Without fail, without mirth, she denied them all.
Strange, to have such a notoriously willful woman so utterly at my mercy...
Β§3
"So tell me," I began, "what business does the lady-in-waiting of our dear princess have in my humble chambers?"
She made an exasperated noise through the fabric in her mouth, rolling her eyes in obvious scorn. "For you see," I deliberated without acknowledging her, "it is, by the kings own law, a crime to steal from any of his subjects. Especially if that subject happens to be his dear, beloved magus." Violet struggled against her bonds, under muffled cursing, causing the enchanted rope to lift her hands up slightly higher, making her stand on tiptoes to maintain balance.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... So eager to avoid your due berating, Violet?" "hmm-mm mm-hmm hmph." Was her subdued answer.
I suppose I should just release her before I get myself into trouble.
The thought wasn`t half formed before an opportunity dawned on me.
Or should I?
Slowly I paced around my captive, mulling the idea over in my mind, trying to root out it`s morality. No one could observe or enter my rather large tower-chambers without disarming the wards I`d placed on the door.
Oh, that reminds me,
I realized, brushing my will against the wards and arming them.
Violet must have noticed the arcane glimmer, as she stiffened noticeably, fixing her weary eyes once more upon me.
"Against my better judgement, I fear that simply letting you go wouldn`t inspire the kind of... cautioning... I believe is required." My voice was soft, but filled the round room as easily as had I shouted. "Do you know why the kings has chosen
me
to fulfill the role of court sorcerer?"