The Stepsister Scheme

“I’m sure!”
    Talia folded her arms. “In that case, I believe the Princess Danielle was asking for your help.”
    “I can’t,” said Brahkop. “I made a deal.”
    “Snow?” Talia said.
    Snow smiled and began to work the stopper loose from the vial.
    “No need to get violent, ladies,” said Brahkop, wiping his nose.
    Danielle stared. “You were going to eat us!”
    “I was hungry.” He shook his head, sending waves through his silver tresses. “Look, I’d like to help you. You beat me fair and square. But I can’t. Your stepsisters drive a tight deal, and part of that deal was that I say nothing of where they went or what they planned to do.”
    Snow was carefully returning the vial to its place on the shelf. “Those of fairy blood can’t break a contract,” she said without looking up. “It’s in their blood. You could cut him to pieces, and he wouldn’t talk.”
    “Let’s test that,” Talia said, drawing her knife.
    “You know, you’re a very unpleasant human,” said Brahkop.
    “Are you the one who taught my stepsisters magic?” Danielle asked.
    Brahkop shook his head. “Sorry, can’t help you.”
    “What exactly was this deal?” Snow asked, picking up a mummified bat with a wingspan as wide as her outstretched arms.
    “Can’t say. It’s all very secret.”
    Snow returned the bat to its shelf and picked up one of the weavings, an intricate pattern in a gold, octagonal frame. The strings formed the image of a leaping deer. “This is beautiful.”
    “Troll hair,” said Brahkop. “All but unbreakable.” He fingered one of his braids. “My sister hit me with a curse, back when I got myself exiled. I could shave myself bald, and in an hour’s time, I’d look like this again. Fortunately, I managed to make a name for myself selling troll hair ropes and weavings. I can knit you a set of mittens that will protect you from icy cold or the heat of dragon fire.” He pointed to the door. “Nets like that sell for a pretty sum, I’ll tell you.”
    “What about killing us?” Talia asked. “Was that part of the deal, or do you just like to murder royalty?”
    “What royalty? I see three thieves who tried to break into my shop,” Brahkop protested. “Royalty doesn’t pick locks and wake hardworking trolls in the middle of the day and—”
    “Sure we do,” said Danielle. She lowered her sword and did her best to meet the troll’s gaze. She wasn’t entirely sure where the eyes were, beneath all that hair. “My stepsisters paid for your help. I’d like to do the same. I know you can’t tell us where they went, but what can you sell me that would help us find my husband? If he happens to be with my stepsisters, that’s certainly not your fault.”
    Brahkop cocked his head, making him look like an overgrown sheepdog. “Clever. You’re sure you don’t have fairy blood?”
    “I’m sure.” Danielle pointed to Snow. “She’s a witch—”
    “Sorceress,” Snow corrected.
    “—so she can use any magic you give us. Please.”
    “You’re talking some mighty powerful magic,” Brahkop said. “That sort of spellcasting doesn’t come cheap.”
    “I warned you about bargaining with them,” Talia said. “He’s planning to trick you.” She gave a disdainful sniff. “I doubt he even has the power to find your stepsisters.”
    “Oh, please.” The beads in Brahkop’s hair rattled as he chuckled. “Play that game on one of the beast caste, but don’t expect to trick me into anything. I keep my bargains. You pay my price, I’ll help you find your prince.”
    “What price?” Danielle asked.
    “The child,” said Brahkop.
    Danielle glanced at her companions. “What child?”
    “The one you carry in your womb, Princess.”
    Danielle felt like he had punched her in the stomach. She stepped back, nearly dropping her sword. “I’m not... How can you—”
    “We’re sensitive to this sort of thing,” Brahkop said. He gently tapped the side of his nose. “It never lies. They say my great grandmother could tell you the baby’s sex a week before you made it. I could smell it the moment you came through that door.” He sniffed. “That’s before your friend smashed me in the face, of course.”
    “No,” Danielle whispered.
    “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the little guy,” said Brahkop. “Changelings are treasured, treated like royalty. Better than royalty, given the way you people treat your noble children.”
    “The little guy?” Danielle