“That is how I came to be here in the king’s—”

“Well, that clears that up.” The king interrupted, standing suddenly. He grimaced at the discovery that his legs had fallen asleep. Doing his best to ignore it, he said, “General, a word?” and pulled his general from the room.

The general locked the study door reflexively, and the two men moved to the window.

The king spoke first. “I apologize, Eliot. I fear you were quite right in your assessment of the situation.”

Eliot Winter, who had never voiced his opinion, remained silent and thoughtful.

Looking out the window, he shivered and said, “To think, she came to my chamber so late at night, and she a murderer!”

“Upon your invitation. And in any case, the man she stabbed—”

“Even if he was a criminal himself-”

“No,” Captain Winter forestalled his king. “She missed, barely grazed him. He was a coward and a bleeder. The guards arrested him and he has been working in a mining camp near Thalin since then.”

“That would have been good to know sooner.”

“I left the report on your desk.”

“Did you? I do not recall it.” Choosing not to notice his general's pointed lack of surprise, he said, “My bed was on fire. Did you see it? Real flames.”

“You speak as if I do not know how Chaos fire becomes real fire.”

“She is clearly a danger, possessing her Grandfather’s Chaos magic, and being chosen by him. No doubt he saw himself in her, and she will inevitably meet the same fate if she is left at liberty. It is the Family curse.” He nodded solemnly. “I will have to give her the throne,” he said with an air of regret. He looked out over the quiet city and sighed. “I suppose I will move to the manner house…”

“You are not moving anywhere."

“Did you see her there? She Charmed the entire room. Every Family in the kingdom is under her spell. There is no choice in the matter, the people will support her.”

"Cease this effort to replace yourself.”

“I have no need. This crown was never mine.” The king returned to the window, leaning his forehead against the glass. “How long have you known?”

Captain Winter looked away. “It only came to my attention a year ago. The Lorekeeper brought it up, and Zaphar tested the blood in the Saliz House book, and we saw that ‘Avery Saliz’ was deceased. It seemed unimportant. We did not have access to the Book of Kings. Zaphar must have taken her blood when he met her in my office, to unlock the book’s case.”

“You ought to have warned me.” He gasped and grasped his throat, “She’s going to kill me.”

“She—”

“I betrothed myself tonight! Had I known I was about to unkinged, I should never have dreamed—only think what Atheron will say.”

Captain Winter sighed. “I assume you refer to the countess.”

“She will be my mother by law. Do you understand what that means? At least if I were king I could send her away—Myth only knows where my own mother is. I cannot send the countess anywhere as cousin of the queen." The king looked thoughtfully back at the closed door. “Seeing as she has Charmed the entire kingdom, and is the King’s Heir, her influence is much stronger than that of Atheron.”

“She is married, and you are betrothed.”

He sighed. “I repeat, why was I not warned?”

“You expect me to believe you did not know her when you met her in the garden and the hallway.”

“Ah, you noticed? If you are not going to let her be queen, one way or another…”

Captain Winter gazed out the window where the first soft rays of dawn were brightening into daylight. “There is always exile.”

As the sun softly dawned, Captain Winter carried the semi-conscious girl back to the guard tower that contained his private wing.

“Captain,” the limp girl asked softly, “why is the world so quiet when you’re around?”

“Go back to sleep,” he sighed, readjusting his hold as she shifted to look at his face.

“I want to know,” she insisted. “Everything is darker, colder, quiet. Why?”

“Sleep.”

“I’ll sleep as soon as you tell me.” She fought the force that threatened to close her eyes.

He looked down at the determined green eyes of the girl who was too weak to walk. “It is order magic.”

“You have magic?”

“No,” he laughed humourlessly. “Not in any way that counts. Order magic has a dampening effect on other magic. If I touch a mage, it prevents him from using his magic. Order is in opposition with chaos, so it affects you more strongly. Most magic does not affect me.”

“Are you immune to Charms or Talents?”

“No. The cook’s food is amazing, and if you do not sleep immediately, I may never taste it again.”

“What about—”

“Sleep.”

“But how can I sleep without knowing whether I will die or be exiled? It may be my last night in this world.” she murmured sleepily, eyes drooping too far to see the early morning sun shining through the windows.

“If you do not sleep, it really will be.”

But the girl had fallen into darkness, and did not hear him.

A knock on her prison cell door woke the chaos mage too soon. Not waiting for a response, Captain Eliot Winter opened the wooden door. “Dinner is arrived.”

Aevlin could smell it. She stared at the captain. “Did you…order food?” she was teary-eyed as she stepped out of her closet into the captain’s office. She searched the room for signs of world-shattering changes, but it looked the same. Except the plate of steaming breads, meats, and vegetables.

Aevlin sat down with an expression of wonder. “Am I dreaming?” She picked up the fork and loaded it with vegetables, then hesitated. “If I take a bite, will I wake up?” She decided to try anyway.

“Dream and eat.” Captain Winter perused his daily reports, alternating between barely perceptible expressions of satisfaction and disappointment.

“And kill me a piece of steak.” Aevlin’s shadow sat on the desk next to her.

“Anything interesting or unusual today?” Aevlin ate cheerfully, wondering if much of her recent past had only been an extremely vivid nightmare.

“Oh, uproar,” said the Captain, as casually as he might have said it was going to be a warm day. “Chaos, mayhem. All Niare is in a state of confusion over whether to support the Charming King’s Heir or the King-Slayer.”

“Not a dream, then.” Aevlin paused and looked at her food almost disinterestedly. “Am I dead, then?” She attempted to kill a steak.

The Captain ignored his melodramatic assistant. “As a result of the king’s heir being announced in front of not only Niare’s most influential Families, but also honoured invited guests from all our neighboring counties, our current state of affairs is being closely watched by our at home and abroad.”

Aevlin glared at the piece of meat. “Whose fault is that? My mentor abandoned me when I needed him most.”

“Your mentor,” he raised his eyebrows at her. “Your ‘mentor’ advised you to make a public declaration of support for the throne and the man currently on it.”

“I could do that? Why did you not say!”

“I did. Many times.”

“You said the royal family should pledge their support to avoid being used as pawns in someone else’s power games.”

“Instead you, pawn of all pawns, walked in on the player’s arm and let yourself be used in his power game.”

“Yes, but!” Aevlin stabbed the air with an empty fork, “I then ruined said power games by being chaotic. So that fixes that.”

Beside her, a shadow munched happily on a translucent piece of steak.

Reading from the report before him, Captain Winter said, “Houses Mistler and Thalin have declared their unanimous support for the True Queen. House Silver declared neutrality.” To himself he muttered, “Daniel, you coward.”

Aevlin ate mechanically.

“House Atheron is, for the obvious reason, against it. They would hardly support you as queen when their own contessa is marrying into the position.” He glanced up to see the girl nod in understanding. “House Fulvor waits to hear about their own contender’s fate.”

“Ooh, when you’re queen, can I sit on the king’s throne? Do I get a title? I could be ‘Queen’s Spirit’ or ‘Spirit Guardian to the Queen’! Or just Spirit Queen Av-” The ghost suddenly fell silent, looking uncertain.

Aevlin quickly looked away from her twin to the captain. His attention was on his papers. When he turned to her, she was eating silently. “Does not even stop eating,” he shook his head. “This is the girl two Great Families support to take the throne.”

“But I’m the chaos mage! I make chaos, I’m unstable!” Aevlin could not believe the captain’s words, although he had set the newspaper where she could read it. “I am my grandfather’s granddaughter, poised to inherit his legacy of misdeeds and be the next mad…ah, queen.”

“He too inspired intense admiration and unfailing loyalty in his followers, most of whom died for him before he was removed from power.”

“But, people don’t like me like that,” Aevlin protested.

“Indeed. Your mother did not spend your entire life training you to cultivate control. Master Thorne, who sometimes sees his own reflection in the mirror as a cheap imitation of his greatness, and who will not sell his works because no one is worthy, did not spend seven years training you as his apprentice. And he definitely did not lie about it to his king, hiding the location of the entire Royal family, even making regular trips to Atelis and allowing himself to be noticed so that we would hear of his being there.” Captain Winter spoke indifferently.

“That’s—”

“Temple Mage Reuben Atheron did not assist you covertly when you arrived, offer you advice when you visited him, fail to report it, and then come to a royal ball at your request—he who refused to come when the king was ill.”

“What—”

“Fredrick, leader of the padfoots, did not break his own rules and attempt to break you out of the palace dungeons, risking all he has. The guards let you take the king’s prized stallion, the cook beat me for not feeding you enough, Contessa Annalize argued for you on several occasions, and Zaphar, King’s Mage, must have known everything from the moment he saw you in Essel when you were eight years old.”

“Is he bitter?” Aevlin’s shadow twin laughed.

“Wait—”

“Half the kingdom, the half that has met you, wants to throw out the king they have praised and supported for a decade and replace him with you. The Families are in uproar. Several of our allies are refusing to deal with us, believing us to be dishonest.” Captain Winter shook his head. “It truly is chaos.”

“Well, it would be..”

“What, since yesterday?”

“You have been asleep six days.”

Aevlin’s twin slid off the table. “Six days? Impossible.” She tried to count.

Aevlin also counted, and then loaded her fork. “Why would the King request the Holy Man when he was sick? His soup was good, but not that good.”

“Reuben is a blood mage. He specializes in healing. After drinking his soup and eating his stew, it is no wonder you became recklessly confident and energetic.” He looked at the papers that overwhelmed his workspace. “I may pay him a visit."

“He’s what? But he’s not a mage, he even said so.”

“Reuben is a temple mage. He became one when he took his vows to join the Order of Light and Life. I suppose he would call himself a Holy Man.”

Aevlin glanced at her sister questioningly and the other girl shook her head, causing her long hair to ripple. “How is that possible?”

“Temple rituals—they do not reveal their secrets.”

“But, why can I not see it? I can see Zaphar is a mage.”

“If you wish to learn more of magic, enroll in the guild,” said the captain who could not see magic at all, despite being a mage. “In the meantime, Saliz is in uproar and I intend to see a peaceful new year. Your cooperation is necessary.”

“He must not know.”

“I see.” Aevlin nodded. “I will ask, when next I see him.”

Captain Winter took in a deep calming breath. “I am waiting to hear you say that you intend to swear loyalty to the king.”

“If I do that, will I be okay? I can live?”

“Yes,” the captain nearly sighed. “You could have done it a phase ago, rather than that colourful display of power. I could have avoided all this nonsense,” he looked accusingly at the stacks of reports and letters that needed to be responded to.

“Is that really all?”

“You would not have needed half so much sleep.”

“I really slept six days?”

Her shadow’s eyes were disbelieving, but her lips smiled as she said, “He even apologized once, for having been deceived by Kiva’s ridiculous story.”

“You are—”

Aevlin smiled brightly. “Where is Kivalya?”

Captain Winter took a long time to reply, busily sorting through the remaining papers to organize them by urgency.

Aevlin’s shadow leaned across the desk to peer into Captain Winter’s face. “No emotion. Amazing.”

“She is in protective custody. As is your brother. As are you.”

“I hope she’s in the dungeons.”

“Did she really intend to take the throne?”

“The matter is under investigation.”

“What of the others? Family Fulvor, and the king’s advisers?”

“Those who participated have been detained and their involvement is being investigated.”

“Can I help?”

“You are also being investigated.”

“Do I get to be investigated?”

“I never intended to become queen.”

“The evidence is strong against you.”

“I’ll scare the horse out of the stables. We can be gone before midday.”

The captain watched his apprentice’s face. “Rather than plotting your escape, declare your loyalty publicly and receive a pardon.” He turned back to his papers. “A ball is scheduled for New Years and everyone in the nearest five kingdoms is invited. Fortunately, no one who attended the last ball has left left the city. Kivalya and Jaiden will pledge loyalty to the crown, and you will sign the Book of Kings, passing the status of King’s Heir to the king. The king is arranging for all your Family to enjoy the privileges commanded by members of House Saliz.” The captain looked up at Aevlin with an expression that vaguely suggested hesitation.

“And then?”

“It would be best if you did not, for the time being, remain in Saliz. There are too many complications.”

“What, even after giving up the crown? A year’s hard work, and we completely killed the Count’s plan, and we have to leave? What about the Count? What about woodcrafting?”

“I believe I am the key witness in most of your current investigations.”

“You are too involved to be considered a reliable witness.” Noticing his apprentice’s offended expression, the captain added, “It will all be settled, do not concern yourself. The marriage was not legal; it will be annulled. And you will be provided for and given occupation.”

“I already have an occupation. There’s a seal with my name on it at the guild.”

“Or my name?”

The captain’s expression was silent. He spoke slowly. “You have two options. You can sail to Vior as Niare’s official ambassador.”

“Shipping you far away.”

Aevlin blinked. “You want me to leave Niare?”

“You would be an ambassador.”

“What is my other option?”

“You can marry the king. There is a law dating back to Niare’s early years that allows the king to marry whomever he wills, nulling any previous contracts that woman may have. That would also neatly settle the question of succession.”

Aevlin raised her hand. “Vior is an island, right? Is it nice?”

“You’re giving up? But they can’t do this to us!”

Eliot Winter’s lips twitched. “It is quite beautiful. You will like it there.” He pulled out a map to show his apprentice the country.

She leaned forward and examined each sign and symbol. “What is it like?”

“It is very green.” He went to his shelf, searching for a book. “They have gorgeous trees.”

“Really? Sounds nice.” Aevlin accepted the book, ‘A Study of Vior’.

“I understand the weather to be mild all year, neither hot nor cold...” He described the country as a perfect paradise while Aevlin flipped through the book.

Her shadow peered over her shoulder at the pictures and descriptions of the country of islands. “At least it’s pretty.”

Almost as soon as a young kitchen page left with Aevlin’s empty trays, someone else pounded on the door. “Eliot Winter, if you do not immediately open this door—!”

“It is not locked,” he said calmly, not looking up from his paperwork.

Contessa Annalize swept gracefully into the room. “Eliot!” She said warmly. “How are you? It feels positively ages!”

Eliot Winter looked up with gentlemanly concern. “Perhaps you should visit with a healer. It has been but a few hours since your last visit.” He stood to bow over her hand, “Good day, Your Highnesses,” and left through the open door, shutting it firmly behind him.

The contessa turned to Aevlin and asked, with eyes over-bright, “Are you well?”

Aevlin nodded and asked her own question. “You marrying the king—when was that decided?”

Anna sat in an armchair in the corner. “Oh, ages ago. They, his advisers, wanted us to marry when he was first crowned, to give the crumbling House Saliz the support of House Atheron. But we were both so young—only fifteen, younger than you are now. It would have undermined him as an independent king, and weakened House Saliz. Still, there was an understood agreement between his House and mine, which made his advisers happy. My mother was especially pleased.”

Aevlin leaned on the back of her chair. “Your mother—Adaia Atheron? The Guildmaster?”

“No,” Anna smiled. “Adaia is my aunt, my father’s sister. My mother is Countess Atheron.” She leaned forward with a mysterious smile. “Adaia does not like you.”

“I think I could have guessed as much.”

Anna shook her head. “She heard that Eliot’s apprentice was researching Guild laws, to propose possible changes.”

Aevlin crossed her arms and glared at the captain’s chair. “That was a waste of time! He never even read my report.”

“Everything was wasted time. He was only keeping us occupied while he planned all along to have us exiled.”

“Eliot brought up some of the Guild policies with Adaia over dinner one day.”

“Really?”

“As if.”

“I did not hear the specifics, but she was furious. It was quite shocking. Eliot has had many assistants, but he has never listened to any of them. I was never certain whether he even knew their names—he only took them because the king insisted. You were the first that he selected himself, and then he even brought you around and listened to your ideas. Imagine my curiosity to meet the girl that had the infamous Captain Eliot Winter’s respect! I was surprised by you. All his previous apprentices were well-qualified, hand-picked from the best Families. Yet there he was, asking everything of you, a little girl.” She winced. “I do not mean any offense.”

Aevlin was offended.

“How rude!”

“I only mean, you were not educated—the others had been trained in law many years. And you are only seventeen. Even if you had been twenty as you had claimed, you would still be ten years younger than Eliot.”

“He is only thirty years?” Aevlin put her offense aside to be surprised.

“Thirty-one, soon.”

“How old is Thorne?”

Anna laughed. “He was your woodcraft master for how many years and you do not know it? He is thirty years as well. They were in school together.”

Aevlin gave up on being offended. “I suppose it would be surprising to see me as his apprentice.”

“We did not know who you were. If he had only told me—but then, he has not told me very much about his life, or himself, in many years.”

“About ten?” Aevlin guessed, trying not to look too curious.

The contessa looked at her patronizingly. “You would not understand. We were so close, back then. I thought—but then he just became so polite and indifferent. A stranger.”

“Did he tell you to marry the king? He did not, I know he did not, because he and Thorne argued about it, and he was against it. And you told me yourself that he encouraged your parents to allow you to pursue woodcrafting rather than marrying.”

“Your memory is as scary as his,” Anna laughed. “I see now why they all call you ‘Captinette’.” She laughed again, but the sound was sad. “He never told me not to.”

“But—”

“It is enough. Trust me,” she sighed. “It is more than enough.” Setting her gloom aside, she focused on her young companion. “As there is to be another ball, you need a new gown.” She looked at the girl critically. “This time, it needs to say ‘Royalty’. If only I had known!” She looked disappointed at the lost opportunity. “I am thinking purple, or perhaps a rich red.”

“Can I not—”

“No. No!” She looked increasingly horrified the more she considered whatever the other girl might have said. “Do not even think such treasonous thoughts!” She examined the other girls pajamas. “This will not do. You need a new wardrobe.” Her tone bespoke dismay, but her amber eyes sparkled with excitement.

Aevlin grimaced. “Can it wait until tomorrow? I have barely been awake an hour—”

“It’s been nearly three.”

“—and I am already exhausted.”

Anna rose smoothly, clasping her friend’s hand, “I am so sorry! I was so happy to see you looking alive, it completely slipped my mind. Do you feel well? Do you need anything?”

“Just more sleep, I think.”

“In a real bed.”

“Should I—wait, where are you sleeping? Eliot’s previous assistants had a room in the men’s wing of the staff sleeping quarters.” Anna frowned. “I could never persuade Eliot to tell me where you were.”

Before Anna could discover the answer to her question, Eliot Winter returned, distracting her and leading her away. “Contessa Annalize? The king requests your presence…”

Aevlin waited in her customary seat in front of the captain’s desk until he returned.

“You are still awake? I rather think you should be asleep—”

Aevlin was looking at him with an annoyance that even he failed to ignore. “’All the Captain’s previous assistants had a room in the staff quarters’?”

He raised his eyebrows. “You are nothing like my previous assistants. They were neither flight risks, nor in danger of being kidnapped or killed at any time.”

“Still—well—and in any case, I would like a proper—”

“Arrangements are being made, but in the meantime,” the captain approached Aevlin, looking like he intended to help her towards her closet, “this is the best option.”

Aevlin moved quickly in the expected direction. “Can I not at least have yours? I’m really special, I hear. I’m practically a queen..”

At the captain’s continuing approach, she opened her own door and moved backwards into the little storage closet. “Go to bed.”

“Yessir.”

To the closed door and her invisible shadow that still remained, he said, “Do not salute. You look ridiculous.” He let his hand rest on the door, and she moved quickly aside.

"To think this man was the king's protector all along. Captain Winter, General Silver...This humble lawmaker is that legendary void mage...To hear the stories, you're a hundred times scarier than she is."