After his first trip to Indore and back, he’d told them that their old friend El, who had put them on a ship that eventually carried them to Gallium. He had taken possession of the guard dog Prin had bought at the bazaar in Indore, and from what Brice claimed, she was going to have to find another because of the bonds they’d forged. Oddly, that simple information eased her mind more than many other news items.
At last count, Brice had placed the Green Ring of Friendship on five fingers—but more importantly, through contacts of Maude and her circle of sorceresses, there were now four similar rings in circulation. A total of fourteen people now wore a green shimmer on their left ring-finger, people from all lands, recognizable instantly as friends by any sorceress.
Two years earlier, Maude had taken her and Sara shopping to a part of the public market they’d never visited. Another sorceress spoke of a woman there who wore the shimmering image of the magic ring. Maude hadn’t told the girls what to expect, and as they strolled from stall to stall, they came across the woman.
Prin didn’t know what to do when she spotted the green glow! They’d never discussed what would happen if they actually encountered someone that had been determined to be a friend that would risk his or her life for anyone else with the ring. They were family. No, better than family. They were trusted, perhaps the rarest quality of all in a person.
Maude had stood aloof and refused to help with the awkward meeting. Finally, Prin took matters into her own hands and approached the woman who was selling fine ribbons of varied colors, widths, and textures. She fingered one and asked for the same ribbon in green, hoping to provide a clue for the woman to recognize her.
The ribbon seller was not a sorceress; thus, she couldn’t see the glow on Prin’s finger, and didn’t know who Prin was. She presented Prin with several options of green ribbons. Prin teasingly held a thin one higher in the air, and allowed it to wrap around her left ring finger as she said, “Wouldn’t this make a delightful ring for a true friend?”
The woman’s actions had stilled as if she were sensing where the conversation might lead. “It might,” she said cautiously.
Prin continued, “Of course, it might leave the image of a green ring on my finger—one that would be hard to get off, if even possible. But, a true friend might come along and help me when I need it.”
“Can you see anything on my finger?” The question came hesitantly, and warily.
Prin paused, teasing the woman a little more as she said, “Of course I can see your finger.” Then she relented, “I can also see the green band. I am Prin, a sorceress.”
“Hello,” the woman said slowly.
“These are Sara, and Maude,” Prin continued. “All of us see you as an unknown friend by the green glow on your finger. I’m sorry for teasing you, but it was so fun.”
“Thank the gods for small things. I was told about the ring of course, but since I can’t see it … well, it’s hard to believe.”
Maude gestured at the hill where her house was located. “The three of us live up there, and my nieces and I are well-known to the locals, and it’s easy to find. If you ever have need of us, all you have to do is ask directions. You may send a messenger or come yourself for a friendly visit and try one of our rare varieties of tea.”
“We’d love to hear your story,” Sara said.
“I am Julia, a friend of Irene, who is a sorceress from Jakarta. She lives there near the harbor. I’ve known her since we were children and only recently come to Gallium.”
Since that day, they had met the ribbon seller several times, fortunately never because of any requirement for help. But the idea that there was a woman in the market who would join them in any confrontation, or assist them in escaping assassins, gave comfort to Prin in a way she hadn’t previously experienced.
The treatment and medicinal spells Maude administered, along with the news of Brice’s return, had Prin on her feet, dancing to her room for a quick change of clothing. No magic school for the day, no fighting lessons, and Brice’s ensuing return promised the usual pleasant, exciting time.
Prin chose to wear pale yellow because it complemented her brown hair. Sara liked forest-green although her hair was the same brown color. Prin kept hers longer and tied back, but the shades and textures were the same, the magic making them appear unmistakably sisters—which was untrue. Magically colored hair was not the only concealment spell they used. While Sara had advanced in real time from eighteen to twenty-three, Prin had appeared eighteen for the last five years, as she grew into her real age, all part of the disguise used to hide her.
It was her plan to hide and defy Princess Eleonore, the wealthy wife of submissive Lord Jeffery, until the time to return to Wren was right. The behind-the-scenes revolt Eleonore led against King Harold continued to flare into open warfare in Wren. Several younger mages banded together with her in open revolt against the recognized crown. Several battles had occurred but the King still held on to his rule, and Princess Elenore, whom Prin had never met, had fled into hiding years ago.
Several royals high on the line of succession had died under mysterious circumstances in the last five years. However, Willard and Henry, the two elderly men directly ahead of Prin in line for the throne still survived, as well as the king’s son. Prin remained number four. Elenore five.
Prin thought back to three years ago when Brice brought word that Evelyn, the sorceress who lived at a workshop built in a hollow tree, had escaped when the young mage entered her village. Brice had located her, and she now wore the green ring, too. Prin had become so used to the faint green glow on her finger she didn’t see it anymore unless something drew attention to it. Sara confessed the same. But to any sorceress they included in their circle, the band identified them. They felt it was one of Prin’s better ideas.
Sara danced back into the main room, twirling as she kicked one leg high into the air. “I can’t wait to see Brice again.”
Maude sat in her usual seat, knitting, even though neither Sara nor Prin had ever seen a completed project. When Maude paused to lift her always ready teacup or roll her yarn into balls, the needles continued to work at a flying pace.
Prin asked about it once.
Maude had said, “The knots of the knitting are fashioned in such a way that a simple spell can bind them into capes for children. When I complete a stack of them, and winter draws near, I pass them out to children playing on the streets in the poorer sections of Gallium.”
That was all she said. And all she needed to say.
When Prin finally emerged from the house, they piled into the waiting carriage like schoolchildren going on a field trip. It was late spring, the weather was warmer than normal, and the carriage driver had the top raised to protect them from the sun. They talked and giggled like schoolgirls on the ride, eagerly anticipating another bout of ingenious stories, interesting comments about places Brice had been, and even more thought-provoking tales of people he’d met.
The excitement and activity of the port, with hundreds of ships loading and unloading cargo from nearby ports and cities so far away that the names were unknown, gave the area a feeling of celebration and wild parties. People in strange dress were more common than the dull clothing worn in Gallium, along with strange accents, and even stranger languages, and customs.
As the carriage pulled to a stop where the driver would wait, Prin noticed the long robes and imperious stance of a lurking mage. He was watching the crowd, as they always did, searching for Hannah, the missing princess of Wren. Generally, they quickly decided Prin was not the person they wanted, but this mage acted differently. He had been leaning on a pole that held up a tent while watching those passing by. Now he stood and walked directly at the three women.