Chapter 11: Enigma

Bryn stood in the shadows and observed the people moving through the castle, particularly the servants. She spoke a spell, and her clothes changed to mirror that of a chamber maid. Once transformed, she approached a young servant walking down the hall.

“Excuse me, miss,” Bryn said, her accent unmistakably lower class. “It’s me first day, and I’m s’posed to take something to the king’s study. Can you tell me where ‘tis?”

“Sixth floor,” the girl said. “Third door on your left when you come out of the servant’s staircase.”

“Oh, thank ye so much, miss,” Bryn said.

“Glad to help,” she said. “It took me more than a month to keep from getting lost in here. A castle this big’s an enigma if you don’t know where you’re going. Good luck!”

She hurried on her way, and Bryn stepped back into the shadows. Aidan dropped his spell on himself and Beca and asked Bryn, “What kind of spell is that?”

“It’s called a glamour,” she said. “You can also disguise your face and hair, not only your clothes.”

“Teach us,” Aidan said, and she spoke the words slowly. Beca, who seemed to share her twin’s mind, learned it at once and matched her servant’s outfit. Aidan took three tries to get it right, upon which he looked like a squire.

“This is almost as useful as invisibility,” he said.

“I told you that you should learn some different spells,” Beca said.

“I know other spells,” he said. “Let’s go.”