A Circle of Celebrations: The Complete Edition Read Online Free PDF Page A

them with the edge of her filmy blue sleeve.
    “Thanks, Boss.”
    I toyed with the pink feathers.
    “It sounds to me like the best thing you can do is let me use an arrow on you. Once you have it confirmed that your true love is Hugh, Shilldon will have to go away.”
    She shook her head, wide-eyed.
    “No. I can’t take that risk. What if the arrows say that Hugh’s not the one for me? I’d have to leave Klah. I couldn’t hurt him like that.”
    “It would hurt him more if you went away. Let him fight for you. Let him take on this Shilldon.”
    “No, way, Boss. He can’t fight a magician! That’s why … It’s killing me, Skeeve. I’ve got to end it. I just don’t know how.”
    “Then, let me help,” I said. “Stay in here. Don’t let anyone else in.”
    “How will I know it’s you?”
    I grinned. “I’ll light a candle.”
    O O O
    Queen Hemlock of Possiltum looked me up and down with cool amusement. A woman in her early middle years with dark hair shot through with silver and possessed of an air that spoke of absolute authority, she sat, or rather, reclined, across the arms of her throne, with her gown hiked up to expose her legs. They were her best feature. At my request, she sent away all of her courtiers except for a handmaiden who filled the queen’s goblet with blood-red wine. She didn’t offer me any. I’d have been foolish to accept it if she had. We weren’t precisely friends, but we weren’t exactly enemies. At her side stood JR Grimble, Chancellor of the Exchequer and my former supervisor. He liked me even less than Hemlock did.
    “You look stupid,” Hemlock told me.
    “I know,” I said, with a shrug. “I am doing a favor for a couple of friends.”
    “It’s a good thing few will recognize my former Court Magician,” she said, examining her nails. “To humiliate the office is to humiliate me. You’ve seen the inside of my dungeon, but I’ve added a few things since you were last in it. Would you like to test out some of the torture equipment? My jailors would love to try them on you.”
    I waved a casual hand.
    “I’ll skip the tour, your majesty. I’m just here to help Massha.”
    That got her attention.
    “In that getup? How?”
    I glanced at the serving girl. “I’m reluctant to expose another magician’s secrets in front of … outsiders.”
    “Enchant her as you please,” Hemlock said, with an offhand wave. The girl trembled and ducked her head. “Turn her into a statue. Just get on with it. I have an audience with a trade delegation shortly.”
    I met the girl’s eyes.
    “I won’t hurt you,” I said. “I’m just going to close off your ears for a few minutes.”
    She nodded without saying a word. In my mind’s eye I saw the magik I sent her way packing a couple of big down pillows on either side of her head.
    “Can you hear me?” I asked. Her wondering look told me she was puzzled as to where the sound had gone.
    “Good,” Hemlock said, curtly. “Get on with it.”
    I explained Massha’s situation. When I began to detail the story of the past love, Hemlock swung her legs around and set her fists on her knees.
    “Where is the son-of-a-Deveel?” she demanded. “I’ll tear him to pieces. Show him to me!”
    “I don’t know where he is,” I said. “He has to be in the castle grounds, if he’s been bringing her letters without anyone seeing him. She’s afraid for Hugh’s sake more than her own.”
    “I wouldn’t expect less,” Hemlock said. “My Court Magician’s safety is vital to the safety of the kingdom. What do you want from me?”
    “I want to draw him out,” I said. “Are you holding an Affection Day feast?”
    “Are you kidding?” she countered, her face alive with scorn. “It’s a fake holiday so the merchants can make money. Even if my husband was still alive, I wouldn’t put the kingdom in debt for the sake of sentiment.”
    “Is it worth it to keep your Court Magician and General of the Army happy?”
    “Perhaps,”