The Stepsister Scheme

their year of slavery was up. It’s not like we killed them, you understand.”
    “No,” said Talia. “You fairies simply burst with kindness and compassion.”
    “We are what we are.” Arlorran gave Danielle’s hand a squeeze. “Now back then, there was one ambitious little sprite who hoped to take the queen’s place. She was a gifted one. Illusions, enchantment, earth magic... they say she even knew a little summoning magic. She transformed herself into the most beautiful of men and slipped away before the hunt. She waited in the woods, and when the king and queen arrived, naturally the queen was struck by her perfection. His perfection, I mean. Blast it, how are you supposed to tell a story when the pronouns keep changing on you?
    “Anyway, the queen claimed him for her own, which annoyed the king to no end. He couldn’t concentrate on his magic, and the girl he tried to ensnare that night managed to slip away. Understand, the king had his share of dalliances, too. He and the queen always returned to one another in the end, but this fellow was a little too good-looking, if you know what I mean.” He clucked his tongue. “I have the same problem when I visit the old gnomeland.”
    Danielle glanced at Talia, who rolled her eyes.
    “So the queen takes her prize back to the palace, where he acts as overwhelmed and befuddled as any of you humans. She’s about to bed the fellow when the king bursts in. Jealousy had gotten the best of him, as it often did. Fast as a dwarf can down a pint, the king throws his spear.
    “Well, a spear in the back tends to be a bit distracting. The Duchess’ spell unraveled then and there, leaving her naked and bleeding and still holding the silver knife she was planning to use to cut the queen’s throat.
    “The queen was quite miffed, as you can imagine. Nobody likes an assassin.” He glanced up at Danielle. “I guess you can imagine, at that. But no creature in the world has a temper to match that of fairy royalty. The queen was all set to rip this sprite apart when the king intervened. He said he was impressed by the magical skill it took to fool the queen. Said he could use talented spellcasters like that. Personally, I think he just wanted to keep her alive to get back at the queen.
    “The queen had already lost a good deal of face over the whole mess. Rather than risk an all-out fight with her husband, she backed down. But she swore that little would-be murderess would be tortured for a thousand years if the queen ever saw her again. The king agreed, promising to bind her to tasks that would keep her away from the queen.”
    “So what happened?” Snow asked.
    Arlorran chuckled. “She played the same game with the king that she had with the queen. Seduced him into bed that very night, whispering sweet words into his ear to gain his sympathy. The king refused to release her, but he did allow her one wish. She said she wanted to see the sun rise one last time as a free woman. After that, she would serve him willingly. The instant he agreed, she fled. The king gave chase, but she was too quick. Dove into the earth and burrowed deep. She hasn’t come up since. Until she comes out and sees a sunrise, she remains free.”
    “I’ve read everything in Lorindar about fairies, including most of Trittibar’s books,” said Snow. “I’ve never heard of the Duchess.”
    “Not many have, even in Fairytown. And I’d take it as a favor if you kept the story to yourselves. The king and queen don’t appreciate looking like fools, and they’ve done what they can to keep the Duchess quiet. Harder to do, since the war. Once the chasm opened up, the Duchess made a home for herself at the base of the cliffs. Started luring some of the darker creatures of Fairytown to her.”
    “She still wants to overthrow the king and queen?” Talia asked.
    “No doubt.”
    Danielle stared at the road, trying to imagine her stepsisters in league with a mythical usurper to the fairy throne. “How did you learn about the Duchess?”
    “The queen told me,” Arlorran said. “Back when she made me summoner. First thing she told me to do was summon the Duchess. Every few years she has me try again, hoping the Duchess will drop her guard.”
    “Why would she want to summon the Duchess?” Danielle asked.
    “Because then the queen would see her, which means she could carry out her threat,” Talia said.
    “Just so.” Arlorran’s shudder wasn’t entirely theatrical. “I told you, nobody