Page 15 of Charmless
The voice belonged to a man who caused us all to freeze. Long, silver-streaked black hair flowed over his shoulders, his gaunt frame garbed in a flowing dark blue robe spangled with strange symbols. It was as though he had sprung out of nowhere in a puff of smoke and perhaps, he had, for this was the king’s chief wizard, the Great Mercato.
He was seldom seen outside the palace and never far from the king’s side. I and the other women gaped at him with shock. Frackles looked uneasy as the wizard advanced upon us, brandishing his golden staff.
“Major, what is the meaning of this?”
“I am sorry, sir,” Frackles stammered. He was still clutching Ardelia’s arm, a red imprint upon his cheek where she had slapped him. He released the girl and snapped to attention as he continued, “These ladies are trying to get into the Hall. They want?—”
“It is of no consequence what they want. I thought I made my orders quite clear. No one is to be admitted.”
Ardelia had been as cowed as the rest of us by Mercato’s sudden appearance. She recovered her voice although she did not sound quite as strident as before.
“Sir, apparently, you do not know who I am.”
“I don’t care. Be gone!”
“But I am?—”
“I said, be gone!” Mercato struck his staff against the ground, sparks shooting out of the tip.
Shrieking, the girls fled from beneath the arch, nearly knocking me over in the process. They took shelter behind the fountain as though that statue of Florian could protect them.
I found myself alone, staring into the cold, narrowed eyes of the most powerful wizard in the kingdom. But I held my ground. I was not afraid of this man, although perhaps I should have been. The Great Mercato was reputed to be a master of all magical arts, the designer of the infamous Aura Chamber and he held great sway over our irascible king.
Consequently, Mercato was pompous and arrogant to the point of absurdity. With his flowing beard and glittering robes, he seemed more like a strolling player performing the role of a terrifying wizard. Besides, I knew his secret. Mercato’s real name was Sidney Greenleaf. Was it truly possible to be that frightened of a man named Sidney?
When I did not flee as the other girls had done, Mercato glared at me. "Are you hard of hearing, young woman? I said go! ”
“I heard you well enough, sir. But I need to see Commander Crushington."
“You and every other idiotic wench in the kingdom. I should not be in such a hurry to bring myself to the commander’s notice if I were you. I believe that purchasing fake elixirs is as much against the law as selling them.”
“Really? So now being foolish and gullible is also a crime?”
“If it is not, it should be.”
I started to retort and instead took a deep breath. I would gain nothing by antagonizing this man.
“I am not here to complain about that potion,” I said. “I have other more urgent business with the commander and I’m sure he will want to see me. My name is Ella Upton and?—”
“Ah! Yes. The lucky young woman the prince has chosen for his bride.” Mercato stroked his beard and subjected me to an assessment, his eyes filled with scorn he took no pains to hide.
I was far more distressed by the resentful look I received from Major Frackles. He and most of the garrison were awareof their commander’s tender feelings toward me. The major’s expression made it clear that he thought I was a heartless jade.
Addressing myself more to him than Mercato, I said, “No matter what you might have heard, I have no intention of marrying the prince. I did not go to the ball with any desire to attract His Highness’s attention.”
The Major’s expression lightened, but Mercato sneered. “Perhaps in the future, you should be more careful where you leave your shoe.”
With a swish of his robes, he turned to head back into Quad Hall, but I grabbed hold of his sleeve. “Please sir, wait.”
Mercato spun around, glaring at my hand so fiercely, I was surprised it didn’t turn into a withered stump. I hastily released him. Forcing a smile to my lips, I tried to flatter him although the effort was enough to make me gag.
“Oh, Great Wizard, I know Commander Crushington holds you in the highest esteem as do I. He told me how kind and beneficent you are, persuading the king to release the Hanson family and?—”
“I don’t have the least idea what you are talking about,” he interrupted me. “That Hanson girl had the temerity to pull my beard. Why would I want any of those wretches released?”
“But Horatio— that is, Commander Crushington assured me that?—”
“You likely misunderstood him.”
