Zalzar’s Point of View

I watched my Master and the so-called “Source” walk out the doors of the throne room and shook my head. My Master was walking right into the pit of failure and I could do nothing to stop him.

The King chortled behind me; I didn’t turn to look at him.

“She’s quite a fiesty one isn’t she?”

“It would seem so your Majesty,” I replied without much conviction.

The King stared at the jewels on his right hand, twisting them back and forth so they caught the light.

“Do you think they’ll succeed in their quest?”

I sighed heavily.

“The Cirque are very fond of my Master, but unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll believe that the girl is the Source. Even if he tells them it is so, they still won’t believe it. The Dally however, are an unpredictable people. They believe wholeheartedly that the Source will one day walk among us. But whether or not they’ll believe Miss Beaumont is the Source, I cannot say.”

The King chuckled darkly.

“Even so, if she manages to convince the Dally, they’ll follow her to the ends of Gladtopia.”

The King stood up from his throne and stretched.

“Of course, if they find out she’s not really the Source, they’ll tear her to pieces. And should she make irreparable mistakes along the way, no one would blame me would they?”

This forced me to turn to look at the King sharply.

“Forgive me, your majesty but are you saying, should things go wrong, you wouldn’t tell the people that you had falsely deemed her the Source?”

The King placed a hand on his chest and gave me an innocent look.

“Why Zalzar, she told me she was the Source after all. Bewitched and manipulated me into thinking so. How was I to know she wasn’t the Source?”

The King’s facade dropped and he laughed heartily as he walked down the dais steps. I hesitated to follow him as he began to walk down the length of the throne room.

Should I warn my Master about the King’s plan?

“Don’t worry Zalzar,” the King said over his shoulder as he continued to walk. “Her only use to me is protection from the people. Eventually I want you to accompany them. I’m sure the people are much more inclined to listen to the Royal Sorcerer than a young girl.”

My eyes widened, but I recovered my composure when the King turned around to look at me. Did his Majesty really mean …?

“Are you suggesting that I leave the castle, your highness?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Is that not what I just said?” The King smirked. “Now hold my robe Zalzar, I don’t want it getting dirty. Oh, and is that sleeping potion finished? I could do with a good night’s rest.”

If I had been in my right mind, I would have felt incredibly irritated at the King’s remark, considering I had been the one up all night. But as I lifted the end of the King’s diamond encrusted robe, my heart beat wildly.

Finally! I was given a more meaningful task, living up to the name of Royal Sorcerer. I was so ecstatic, my mind thought a mile a minute.

I have to freshly press all of my most regal looking robes. And polish all of my silver clasps. I should also brush up on all of my spells to really impress …

“Remember I did say you’d join them eventually,” the King cut in; he must have seen the hope in my expression. “I still need you here at the present moment.”

My spirits dampened like a wet towel on a flame, but not completely.

Instead of making sleeping potions or tonics for backaches, or holding the ends of a robe like an underling, I would be doing more important work. Work that actually mattered for once. The work of a Wizard like my Master.

                                                                   ***

Mia’s Point of View

Mr. Optim and I slept in the most lavish rooms that night. I had walked into a spacious, airy, and very...blue bedroom. Massive, vaulted windows looked over a lush garden and when I got closer I saw the dark blue, velvet curtains had small diamonds sewed onto them. Was everything covered in blue diamonds?

I looked up. A chandelier made of diamond.

I passed a hand over the dresser. Diamond.

Even the lush blackout curtains adorning the four-poster bed had gems sewn on just like the window drapes.

The King must have acquired every diamond that existed in Gladtopia.

I looked to one end of the room that had a door that led to Mr. Optim’s room. His room resembled mine and it made me feel better to know that Optim was only a door away.

From the way the King had looked at me throughout the meeting, I had been left with a prickly feeling all over. In the privacy of my room I physically shuddered, trying to shake out the feeling of his gaze. He may have been handsome, but boy could he send an unpleasant shiver down a girl’s spine.

Trying not to think about the King, I focused instead on how hungry I had gotten. I knocked on Mr. Optim’s door. “Mr. Optim?”

“Yes, ducky?” He opened the door for me, smiling warmly.

My shoulders relaxed instinctively. Unlike the King, Mr. Optim’s kind gaze always filled me with a sense of security. I frowned as I thought of the King, and his written invitation to have dinner with him. A footman had just dropped it off and asked for my prompt reply. Fidgeting with the airy sleeve of my evening gown, I asked, “Could I just eat dinner with you? In our rooms? This has all been...a lot you know? I think I’d feel better if I just ate with you.” I didn’t have to say that I wasn’t looking forward to seeing the King again.

Nodding in agreement, Mr. Optim gestured for me to come into his room and sit at a table he conjured with a snap of his fingers.

“Just a moment, sweet pea,” He said cheerfully and went to pull on a cord that hung down from the ceiling in the corner of the room. Distantly I heard the chime of a bell. On the wall near the tassel at the end of that cord was what looked like an old-timey phone speaker.

As Mr. Optim spoke into it, presumably to talk to one of the castle servants about having their dinner sent up to us, I looked out the window, thinking about the phrase, ‘sweet pea.’ Aunt Cindy always called me that. I bit my lip, feeling my heart weigh down with how I wouldn’t see her again. Without realizing it I had begun to fiddle with the amulet around my neck that had gotten me into Gladtopia in the first place.

Mr. Optim’s conversation with whomever was on the other end of the line continued to the order of what food would be served. I looked down at the amulet and was heartened by the thought that, well I could visit her anytime I wanted now! Once I got settled properly in Gladtopia and dealt with this Source nonsense, I’d go see her.

In much better spirits, I was able to enjoy dinner with Mr. Optim. The rich and luxurious food came on ornate, silver trays. Surprisingly they were not studded with diamonds. When I was filled with the warm food and started to nod off, Mr. Optim ushered me back to my room, where I found a soft, blue nightgown inside a large wardrobe. Thankfully, this too was diamond-free.

I slipped out of the gorgeous dress Mr. Optim made for me and into the comfy nightgown before climbing into the large bed. The mattress and pillows were so soft, I felt myself sinking into a cloud as I lay down. I thought about poor Sphinx, outside in the cold and all alone. What kind of a person hated animals? Especially my loveable Sphinx? Which was another reason not to like the King.

I tried not to think too hard about my Sphinx’s loneliness and focused more on what Mr. Optim had said about lynxs resilience. Thanks to the comfort, that night, I had the best sleep of my entire life, in spite of everything that had happened over the past 24 hours.

Early the next morning, I was so sound asleep that I didn’t even hear the servant come in. After waking me gently, he handed me breakfast on a silver tray.

I got to eat fresh, hot crumpets with jam and cream along with delicious, jasmine tea. A girl could’ve gotten used to this. It was odd though that the servant stayed nearby as I ate. I tried to make conversation, but he was politely quiet and just refilled my tea when it emptied. I made sure to thank him when I was finished with my breakfast.

Mr. Optim soon came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed, having finished his breakfast, and asked how I slept. He looked glad to hear that I had slept through the night. All remnants of sleep left me however when he declared that we were setting off to the Cirque Clan in the East.

I hopped out of bed and Mr. Optim magicked me into more suitable clothes for traveling. I wore a billowy white shirt with a dark purple vest and long cinched coat. My violet, knee-length shorts were delightfully stretchy and my tall boots were polished to perfection.

Mr. Optim wore what looked like a khaki safari outfit along with his signature boater hat, which had a band of purple around it to match my outfit.

“Now that we’re properly fed and dressed, we should be on our way.” Mr. Optim offered his arm and I took it.

Zalzar was waiting for us at the end of the hallway and when he spotted us he grinned.

“Good morning, I hope you both slept well.”

Someone’s in a better mood, I thought and wondered what had caused the dramatic change.

“I slept as soundly as a sloth.” Optim replied cheerfully.

I giggled.

“Yeah I did too. Those beds are incredibly soft.”

Zalzar nodded.

“Yes they are the softest beds in the kingdom. King Samuel wouldn’t have it any other way. Now if you’ll both follow me, I’ll escort you out.”

We followed the Sorcerer through dimly lit hallways and stairwells, all the way down to the atrium. The sun had yet to rise meaning shadows clung to every nook and cranny. One shadow in particular near the front doorway caught my eye. When it gave a slight movement, I did a double take. The way it moved looked just like …

I gasped and shifted to go slightly behind Mr. Optim.

“What is it turtledove?” He looked down at me with concern, then followed my eyes to the spot I was looking at and stiffened.

The shadow moved closer and when it stepped into the light my mind couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing. At first, I thought I was looking in a mirror, but I knew there wasn’t a smirk on my face like there was on hers. It was a girl around my age. A girl who looked incredibly similar to me. I’d have said she was my twin.

The girl stared directly into my eyes without looking away and goosebumps formed on my arms.

“Well hello there,” she said; her voice was sultry and slightly deeper than mine. “Zalzar, you didn’t tell me the King was entertaining today.”

She slowly made her way over to the Sorcerer and kissed his cheek, her eyes never leaving mine.

Zalzar’s cheeks turned a light pink and he looked quickly from the girl to me and Optim.

“They only arrived yesterday, Melina.”

“We had important business with the King.” Optim said, his eyes a slate gray and the look on his face was one I’d never seen before. It was as if his expression had turned to stone.

The girl, Melina, turned her attention from me to Mr. Optim. She tilted her head and her tone became playful.

“Look who finally came out of his hermit shack. It’s been a while, Optim.”

I saw the muscles in Optim’s jaw clench. If Optim didn’t like her, then this girl must have been all sorts of trouble.

“Likewise, Melina,” Mr. Optim said, the usual cadence of his voice turning to monotone. “What are you doing in the castle so early in the morning?”

Melina winked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Melina walked over to me and clicked her tongue at Optim. “Where are your manners, Augustus Optim. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend?”

“Mia, this is Melina Covalt.” Mr. Optim said quickly, refusing to look at Melina. “She’s the self- proclaimed outcast, meaning she doesn’t belong to either Clans.”

I looked Melina up and down as she smirked at me.

“My name is Mia Beaumont. I’m not from around here.”

“Is that so?” Melina chuckled. “Where are you all headed if you don’t mind my asking?”

I smiled sweetly. “Wouldn’t you like to know. Now if you’ll excuse us, we really should be going.”

That almost got Mr. Optim to smile.

Melina pouted and she looked to Zalzar. “Darling what’s going on?”

My brow furrowed as Zalzar took a breath. “They’re on a mission to convince the Clans to come to a truce.”

Snitch.

Quite ready to leave, I tugged slightly on Mr. Optim’s arm and we turned to head out the front doors.

Melina called after us and I heard the sharp click-clack of her heels on the tile, “Oh really? That’s certainly brave of you. I could always come along with you, if you wanted. I know a lot of things about the Clans and how they operate. I’m also incredibly talented at persuasion.”

I decided to fully indulge the desire to settle this and I turned back to face her.

“Well you haven’t persuaded me. So clearly you aren’t that talented at persuasion. Trust me we’ll be fine.”

“The Clans aren’t easy to deal with, you know,” Melina said putting her hands on her hips. “Trust me, you could use all the help you can get.”

“Like Mia said, we’ll be fine Melina,” Optim replied, joining my side, “With my magic and Mia’s powers, nothing can stop us.”

Melina raised her hands as if to say, ‘Fine have it your way.’

Mr. Optim and I quickly made our way out of the castle before Melina could say anything else.

“Do you think she’ll give us trouble later on?” I asked, glancing behind me.

“Ha! Even if she plans on it.” Optim looked resolute. “I’d like to see her try.”