Charm School

“Tail’sbane, come quickly!” said Sinister as he appeared in the doorway to Brigid’s room, just as Brigid was getting ready to go down for breakfast. Brigid was out of her chair and running through the door before she could ask what was the matter.

Sinister spun about and ran down the corridor before her. As he ran, he said over his shoulder “Soraya has done something evil to Star and L’shaya.”

At those words Brigid’s eyes grew hard and cold, and she increased her pace, and her form appeared to shimmer as she dropped to all fours. In another breath, a larger, darker copy of Sinister’s feline form quickly followed him down the corridor.

Soraya’s rooms were the largest of any of the women, and situated on the first floor, a pair of forbidden privileges she had still somehow demanded and received. The door was open, and from down the hall Brigid’s keen ears could Soraya’s voice within, saying “Aren’t they lovely? They’re a gift from Star, an apology for the insults and injury she inflicted upon me at her party yesterday.”

Brigid paused a moment outside the door to restore herself to her own shape, then strode in confidently. Within, surrounded by her cronies and confidants, sat Soraya regally, with two cats upon her lap, one small with light brown fur, the other larger, with darker brown fur and blue eyes. Both cats appeared to resist Soraya’s attempt at petting them, yet seemed unrestrained but strangely unable to leap from her lap. To Brigid’s empathy and senses, the knot of sorcery about the two cats was painfully obvious.

Sinister stood between Brigid’s legs and hissed loudly, malevolently: the sound silenced everyone within, including Soraya. In the silence, Brigid pointed towards the two cats and spoke the Word she was taught that cancels shapeshiftings.

Star’s and L’shaya’s explosive retransformation from cats back into humans toppled Soraya and her chair backwards as they both fell forward to the floor. In the confusion, L’shaya, who had twisted much like a cat and had fallen on her hands and feet, lifted Star from a pile of bodies and broke for the doorway. Brigid stepped aside momentarily to let them pass, and stood before them as they glared at Soraya. “I have overlooked your petty attempts at mischief, Soraya, when they only involved ourselves. But since you have seen fit to involve my friends, and sought to hurt me through those less capable of defending themselves, then,” she paused, “then perhaps its time you were taught a few lessons in manners.”

“And I suppose you think you can teach them to me?” replied Soraya mockingly, as she picked herself up from the floor to stand proudly.

Brigid only smiled in reply.

“Then, as the challenged, I choose the Duel of the Arcane, on the dueling field outside of the castle, at dusk.” She held up her hand. “So I swear.”

Brigid nodded. “I, too, swear. Until then, safe conduct for all associated with the duel. As I name Star and L’shaya my seconds, they are likewise protected.”

“Agreed,” spat Soraya as her eyes narrowed momentarily, and Brigid grinned wider. Turning to Star and L’shaya, Brigid said “let’s go prepare for the duel.”

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