The Snow Queen's Shadow

inspection take?” Danielle asked quickly.
    Relmar scowled at Captain Hephyra, then went back to ignoring her. “An hour, perhaps two. The nature of this . . . vessel . . . makes it difficult to search for other magic.” He frowned as he studied Danielle. Reaching into his sash, he produced an amber monocle which he held to his right eye. Tiny engravings marked the edge of the lens. “That sword you wear. Is it enchanted?”
    “It is.”
    “There are protocols for bringing enchanted items into Allesandria. Duties to be paid, permits to be procured.” He clucked his tongue and turned. “Your friend will need to do the same for her red cape, not to mention—” He frowned and paced a slow circle around Gerta, removing the monocle then replacing it again on his eye as if to confirm what he was seeing. “I am Relmar Yohannes Duban, Free Master of the Sorcerer’s Guild.”
    Gerta raised her chin. “Gerta.”
    He scowled. “Perhaps you’ve been long enough from Allesandria to forget your manners. With whom did you study?”
    “My sister.”
    “And that shape you wear. It’s natural?”
    “I’ve known Gerta since the day she was born,” Talia said.
    Hephyra chimed in, “Perhaps you should stop worrying about the girl’s shape and get on with things.”
    Relmar started to respond, then frowned as two of his men climbed up from below deck and hurried toward him. Danielle could only pick out a few words of their conversation, but she saw Talia tense.
    “You’ve prisoners locked below,” Relmar said. “Men who have been struck by a particular curse. One of the men whispered again, and Relmar rolled his eyes. “Very well. Men and one cat.”
    “They were part of our crew,” said Danielle. “We were attacked two days out of Lorindar.”
    Relmar appeared calm, but his people were another story. They kept their hands near their hips, ready to draw weapons. “Yet you survive.” He scowled. “Allesandria has been attacked twice in as many days. Reports describe a single ship, protected by magic, leaving chaos and riots in her wake. The Lord Mage Protector of Melavin was murdered in his tower.”
    Danielle glanced at Talia, whose face was stone. “We’ve shared what we know with your king,” she said, keeping her voice calm.
    “Yes, I’ve heard the rumors. Snow White has returned to destroy us all.” He didn’t bother to hide his disdain. “My orders are to quarantine anyone touched by Snow White’s curse.”
    “You can’t seriously believe us to be a threat,” Danielle said. “You know the rest of us are untouched by any curse, and those men can harm no one.”
    “My first duty is to protect my nation,” Relmar answered. “What if those men escape, or your fairy captain looses them upon our shores?”
    “Inspector Relmar, I assure you they will not leave this vessel.” Danielle reached into the pocket of her jacket and removed a sheathed knife. The hilt was gold, the pommel rimmed in tiny rubies. “However, I do understand your need to keep Allesandria safe. The magic in this blade is old and potentially dangerous. Perhaps it’s best that it be turned over to you.”
    Relmar pulled the dagger free and studied it through his monocle. “Thank you, Your Highness. We will see that it’s safely disposed of.” He stepped back, studying the crew. “I’m assigning two of my men to this ship to strengthen and supervise the quarantine of your prisoners. The king may also send his Stormcrows to examine them. However, once we’ve examined each of you to guarantee you’ve not been touched by the curse, I will permit you and your friends—your human friends—to enter Allesandria.”
    “Thank you, Inspector,” said Danielle.
    As Relmar turned his attention to his men, Talia sidled toward Danielle. “There’s no magic in that blade. I’d have smelled it.”
    Danielle shrugged.
    “You brought that knife on purpose. You planned this. I never thought the day would come when Danielle Whiteshore bribed a lawful government official.”
    “Can you think of a faster way to reach the harbor? One that doesn’t involve bloodshed,” she added hastily.
    Talia pretended to think about it. “How do you feel about severe bruising?”
    Relmar returned a short time later. “I can’t permit the fairy or the infected men to set foot on our land, but I’ll let you dock at the harbor. You’ll be safe enough there.”
    “Not if Snow finds us,” Gerta said.
    Relmar gave her a patronizing smile.