HEADS UP!!!!

All of Minerva’s spells are bolded and italicized, their English translations are only italicized. Let me know if you guys have other ideas for how to give you the spell translation or if you don’t really care what she is saying! Hope you enjoy :)

“Ugh, I can’t believe that my father sent for a High Sorceress of all people to teach me “manners”. “How did he convince her to do it anyway? Such a job is so far below someone of her power I can’t even fathom what he could offer her to make her want to do it.”

Marie thought to herself, not wanting to be the first to speak. Eventually, though, she decided that it would be wise to be the one to break the silence. With her mind made up, Marie opened her mouth to ask the High Sorceress a question.

Seeing Marie open her mouth, Minerva decided that it was time for her to hit her with a quick spell that would last just long enough for her to find out what was really on Marie’s mind.

“Esi mierīgs un atpūtini savu prātu”

“Be calm and relax your mind”

she whispered; her words infused with power.

Hearing the High Sorceress mutter in an unfamiliar language, Marie turned around quickly, hoping to startle her into losing her concentration, thus rendering the spell useless. She was too slow however, and Minerva was forced to cast another spell to keep her from falling over as the spell caused her to relax not only her mind but also her body.

“Palikt vertikālā stāvoklī”

“Remain upright”

She muttered.

Quickly sifting through Marie’s recent memories, she noted with a faint sense of relief that Marie seemed to have no idea that the Duke had told her to arrange the kidnapping of Baine and Nadasia. Digging further than her hearing bits of the conversation that they had been having while Marie was outside the door was not possible without a more in-depth spell, which, although slightly frustrating, did not bother Minerva too much.

“After all what could a young girl like her with no magic possibly be hiding?”

She thought to herself as she spoke the words

“Esi atbrīvots un atceries ne”

“Be free and remember this not”

That would release Marie from the spell, as well as ensure that she did not have any clue about the poking around that Minerva had done in her head. Marie blinked her eyes rapidly.

“What in all of the seven hells just happened? I was just walking and then, boom nothing.”

She thought to herself, feeling utterly confused. Glancing to her left she saw Minerva and realized that the High Sorceress must have put the whammy on her again.

“But how? Mother’s ring should have protected me.” “And.....why do I not remember her casting a spell or doing anything to me... there must be a reason she cast it and I can’t even remember if/when she said it!”

When she went to stroke the small band for comfort, however, it was gone! Marie forced herself to take a quick deep breath and compose herself before the High Sorceress could catch her self-control slipping.

“High Sorceress Minerva, did you happen to see a ring anywhere? I think I must have spaced out because when we left the Duke’s receiving chamber I had it, but it is gone now.”

Minerva smiled,

“You can drop the title darling, at least while we are alone.” she paused before adding, “I have heard from your father that you despise them anyhow.”

Marie nodded slowly, surprised at the forthrightness that the sorceress was offering her,

“No offense but I thought-”

Minerva cut her off with a small smirk,

“You thought that I would be a by-the-book sort of female as well as acting as though there was a stick placed up a choice part of my body?”

“Ummm..........well no not exactly that” she mumbled.

A few moments after Marie’s mumbled reply, Minerva tapped her own forehead lightly with her index finger.

“By all of the forgotten gods!” she exclaimed.

“You asked about a missing ring and I am just going on about myself.” Reaching into a small pocket, she pulled out Marie’s ring.

“Is this the one? I saw it laying on the floor in the hallway with all of the mirrors.”

“She is a sorceress, a mistress of manipulation, don't trust her.” Marie’s gut told her as she accepted the ring from the sorceress's outstretched hand.

"Yes, this is it. Thank you it means a lot to me. Though I am very surprised that it fell off in the Hall of Mirrors” Marie replied.

“Of course, darling.” Minerva clapped her hands together as they reached Marie’s room.

“Now....shall we get started with those etiquette lessons?”

Just as they were about to enter Marie’s room, however, Hans, who was Marie’s favorite messenger boy came running up to them. Avoiding looking either of them in the eye, he breathlessly recited his message.

“Lady Marie, your trainer Carline....uh requests your presence at the training grounds....as soon as possible,” he said.

“Oh dear, I had forgotten all about our session being this afternoon thank you, Hans!”

Marie replied, making a mental note to thank the boy for his tact as she knew Carline’s message would not have been near so “respectful”.

Turning to Minerva she said apologetically,

“Sorry, with these new suitor meetings and everything else that has been going on lately, I’ve had to revamp my training program and completely forgot I had a session this afternoon. I swear to you I am not trying to get out of the etiquette lessons,” she added when Minerva eyed her skeptically.

Much to her relief however Minerva nodded but told her that she would still be expected to have her etiquette lesson after she was done with Carline.

“I shall come with you so that you do not find yourself sidetracked.”

Marie sighed but accepted that the compromise was all that she was going to get.

“Fine, just let me take off this monstr- I mean gown and slip into more practical clothes then we can head down.”

“Hans, would you tell Carline that I am changing as quick as I can and will be down in 5 to 10 minutes tops?”

“Of course, Lady Marie.”

Hans nodded and dashed off.

Marie quickly went into her room and changed out of the gown and jewelry all except for the ring of course, thankful that for all its complexity when being put on, she could more or less just wiggle her way out of the gown.

Throwing on a dark navy-blue tunic, a simple pair of training sandals and a matching pair of leggings, she rushed out of her room and much to Minerva’s obvious amusement, left the sorceress behind her in an effort to get to the training grounds in a timely fashion.