Jim Hines - The Snow Queen's shadow

“We’ve an escort,” Talia said. Gerta was close behind, smothering a yawn. Talia pointed to the two ships which had emerged from a thick fog in the distance.

Gerta squinted. “They fly the royal banner. Inspectors, I’d guess.”

“Do inspectors normally greet visitors with gunports open?” Danielle asked.

Gerta gave a half-shrug. “Not usually, but we don’t know what’s happened in Allesandria these past few days…”

They had passed the northern coast of Hilad two days before, and were now in Allesandrian waters. By Hephyra’s estimate, they should reach their destination tomorrow morning.

But Snow could be almost anywhere by now. What had she done to Jakob? Was he still locked away in the hull of her stolen ship? How long would her patience last as she tried to unravel the mysteries of his power? Or had she already-

No. Jakob was alive. He had to be.

“Stop that,” Talia said.

Danielle blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Your eyes give you away. Jakob is alive, and we will find him. We’ll save them both. If you want to worry, worry about what those inspectors will say about us arriving in a fairy vessel.”

Danielle pursed her lips. She had studied the histories of Lorindar and its neighbors, including Allesandria, where the fairy folk had been ill-treated for centuries. Most had fled to friendlier kingdoms. Many of those who remained were destroyed or enslaved. Rose Curtana, Snow’s mother, had paid a bounty for every fairy head, believing their magic to be a threat to her rule. King Laurence had reversed some of those policies, but after so many years of hatred, Hephyra would not be welcome.

“She will remain with the Phillipa,” Danielle said. “She should be safe enough here. Anyone who comes aboard to harass her deserves whatever they receive.”

Talia smiled slightly at that, but said nothing.

“They know we’re coming.” Danielle rested a hand on one of the lines running to the foremast. “Theodore has been in contact with King Laurence, and warned him about what happened.”

The approaching ships spread out to flank the Phillipa.

“You’re certain you can find this witch who helped Rose Curtana create her mirror?” Danielle asked.

“I… I think so.” Gerta stared into the distance. “I was young and, well, not real.”

“Assuming the witch is still alive,” said Talia. “Assuming she exists at all, and this isn’t some game Snow planted in your mind.”

Gerta’s face went blank, and she turned away. “Talia’s right. It feels like a true memory, but how would I know?”

“It doesn’t matter,” said Danielle. “If not Noita, we find someone else. Allesandria claims to be the birthplace of human magic. There must be others who can help us free Snow from this demon and rescue my son.”

Unbidden, the memory of the Duchess’ offer pushed to the forefront of her mind. She could call right now. Perhaps fairy magic might succeed where Talia’s rescue attempt had failed. Had the Duchess asked for anything else…

“What is it?” Talia asked. “You tensed.”

“I was thinking of the men possessed by Snow’s wasps,” Danielle lied. The effects of Snow’s magic were obvious. Stub hissed and clawed at anyone who came near. As for the men, when they deigned to speak at all, their words were venom. The hatred and disgust on their faces was even worse than Armand’s had been, back in Lorindar.

From the Allesandrian ship on the port side came a shout. “This is the Farrion, sailing under King Laurence of Allesandria. Identify yourself.” The words were heavily accented, a thickening of the words that reminded Danielle of Snow.

Hephyra jumped onto the rail at the bow. She stood as if rooted, unaffected by the wind or the sway of the ship. Cupping her hands to her mouth, she shouted, “This is Captain Hephyra of the Phillipa, out of Lorindar.”

The wind and fog made it harder to hear the response from the Farrion. “Reduce your speed and prepare to receive inspectors. We’ll be escorting you into the harbor. If you resist, we’ve orders to sink your ship.”

Hephyra’s response was short, obscene, and hopefully not loud enough to carry to the other ships.

“We have no proof they are who they claim to be,” Talia pointed out.

Hephyra jumped down from the rail. “If they were pirates, they’d have struck farther out.”

And if they had been infected by Snow’s magic, it was too late to escape. “Do as they say,” said Danielle.

Hephyra flung up her hands in disgust. “We wouldn’t have to reduce speed if they weren’t so damned slow.” But she turned to shout at the crew, who began taking in some of the sails.

Already the two Allesandrian ships were lowering boats into the water. Danielle watched as they rowed toward the Phillipa. She counted ten men apiece.

“The man with the gold chain belt is the royal inspector,” said Gerta. “He’ll have studied magic for at least three years at the university. Don’t try to lie to him.”

The boats pulled alongside the Phillipa. The inspector lifted a rolled rope ladder in both hands and shouted a word Danielle didn’t recognize. The ladder uncoiled as if alive, appearing to climb up the Phillipa ’s hull. The end of the ladder twined tightly around the rail.

Hephyra stood with arms folded as the first man climbed up. “If I’m to be boarded, I like to be asked nicely, first.” She was close enough to the rail that he had to move sideways to pass her by.

More followed, all armed with knives and small, polished hand axes tucked through their belts. Each wore a thick doublet, dark blue and heavily embroidered in white patterns that reminded Danielle of fancy carpeting. The inspector had added a white leather sash, decorated in gold, with pouches worked into the leather. He was the last to board. He laced his fingers together and surveyed the Phillipa, looking past Hephyra as though she were invisible.

“I am Relmar, Royal Inspector for His Majesty King Laurence of Allesandria.” He was middle-aged, heavyset but still fit, judging by the ease with which he had climbed aboard. Stubble shadowed his face and scalp. His skin was darker than Talia’s, and his accent marked him as a native of Najarin. Close to a third of his men appeared to be from other lands. Allesandria was known for taking in magically gifted children, training them in exchange for service to the crown. Most returned home when their service was complete, but others chose to stay in Allesandria.

“Princess Danielle Whiteshore, of Lorindar.” Danielle clasped her own hands in greeting; an old Allesandrian formality to suggest no magic would be used upon your enemy. “King Laurence is aware of our mission. We were promised free passage in Allesandria.”

“Your king said nothing about sailing a fairy ship into our waters, milady.” The toe of Relmar’s boot rapped the deck. Behind him, his crew was spreading out to examine the ship. “My men will need to look below as well.”

“That’s what they all say,” Hephyra muttered.

Danielle smothered a smile. “Are you accusing us of smuggling?”

“Not at all,” Relmar answered. “But with all due respect, have you inspected the hold? Have you searched every corner of this vessel? I’ve no doubt your mission is genuine, but fairies are masters of trickery and illusion.”

Hephyra snorted. “Just as humans are masters of-”

“How long will your inspection take?” Danielle asked quickly.

Relmar scowled at Captain Hephyra, then went back to ignoring her. “An hour, perhaps two. The nature of this… vessel… makes it difficult to search for other magic.” He frowned as he studied Danielle. Reaching into his sash, he produced an amber monocle which he held to his right eye. Tiny engravings marked the edge of the lens. “That sword you wear. Is it enchanted?”