Page 171 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“Iwill,” Aislinn said. “But it’ll be harder for others to do so. For some, impossible. And you should be able to detect it. You’ll still be susceptible from glamours being cast on you though—the type that compels you to do as you’re bid. You’ll need to wear rowan berries to ward off that—”
“Not sure I’ll need all that surrounded by dwarves, but sure. Are you going to spit in my eyes?”
She tilted his face towards hers. “I was going to kiss them. Hold on…”
It was not as romantic as she imagined, Caerwyn squirming under the quick lick of her tongue, and they both collapsed into giggles afterwards.
A gong sounded from inside the throne room.
Caer groaned. “That sounds important. I suppose we should go back in.”
They walked back arm-in-arm. The noise of the celebration fizzled away, save for a handful of very drunken dwarves. A loud trumpet signalled the arrival of Venus, who swept up to her throne, silencing everyone. Not a soul moved.
“Friends, comrades, allies and citizens,” she announced, “it feels like decades since we have had something to celebrate, and yet I hope in the days and weeks ahead, we shall have much to celebrate indeed. But first, a toast to my brave sister, and a warm welcome to Prince Caerwyn, who is to be our honoured guest here.”
A loud cheer went up, followed by the clanking of goblets and tankards. Venus raised her hand afterwards, and silence fell once more. She looked over to her guards, one of whom nodded. Aislinn noticed for the first time that Aeron was not among them, nor had she seen him at all tonight.
“But before all that, we’ve arranged a demonstration for you in the grounds. Guards, show the guests to the gardens!”
The guests formed an orderly line towards the doors, but Aislinn, Caer, and the entirety of Minerva’s band were hurried to the balcony instead—customary for honoured guests, to have a better view.
The garden had been well lit, now, sconces of bright flame marking out the manicured lawns and sculptures of steel and brass.
At the centre was the Mirror, illuminated by candlelight, the glass swirling like ink or smoke.
Caer twitched by Aislinn’s side. A hushed whisper fell over the crowd. The blackness in the Mirror continued to swirl.
Aeron stepped forward, calling upwards to the balcony. His voice boomed unnaturally. “Citizens of Avalinth, this mirror is a gateway—one I hope to utilise to bring you fortune beyond your imaginings.”
Aislinn glanced at Beau.Gateway? she mouthed. Aeron had definitely said it showed the future. Hedid.What did he mean by gateway?
Beau shook his head, his eyes wide and fearful.
Aislinn turned back to the scene below.
“For too long, Avalinth has been cut off from Faerie,” Aeron continued. “Separated, fearful, neglected—ignored. But no longer. This Mirror can transport us almost anywhere, and… it can bring our allies to us.”
Another murmur, louder than before, raced through the crowd. Aeron turned to the Mirror, whispering words underneath his breath. The blackness of the Mirror pulled away, tendrils of smoke streaking out of it—
Caer started panting, breathing hard, almost doubling over. Aislinn reached out to steady him, wanting to cry out, but somehow her voice was lodged in her throat, terrified into submission by the Mirror’s raging power.
The smoke cleared. The glass turned crystal—reflecting a courtyard in another castle, miles and miles away.
Afelcarreg.
“It… it can’t be,” Caer gasped.
“Come forward, my king,” cried Aeron. “Come, and be welcome.”
Aeron held out his hand. A face appeared in the glass, followed by a body—a portly, red-faced body, robed and crowned.
King Owen stepped through the glass.
Thedwarvesgasped.Mostof them would never have seen magic before, or would have gone so long without seeing it it would have felt like a distant memory to them, a fairytale told to children.
And yet Aeron had opened a portal right into Avalinth.
And let in a human king.
