‘So that’s howyou do it. You literally scare people into forgetting who theyare.’ said Mirada.
Before shecould ask any more questions there was a knock on the door.
‘Quick. Changeto Dragonfly and act confused.’
Miranda walkedover to the mirror changed to Dragonfly and stood looking atherself.
‘You mayenter.’ said the wizard and with a wave of his hand the door openedand in walked Zephira.
Miranda waslost for words.
‘Hello Lash, towhat do I owe this honour?’
‘Who’s that?’asked Lash pointing to Dragonfly.
‘That’s thedruid girl brought in a couple of days ago. I’ve altered her mind alittle and given her a new appearance and name. She’s now calledDragonfly.’
‘That’s not thedruid brought here from Mudrun. She was much prettier.’
‘You’re quitecorrect Lash. I’ve cast a glamour on her to change her appearanceto match her new name.’
‘I’m nottalking about your stupid illusion wizard. I can see right throughthat. I’m talking about her real appearance. I saw it in thedungeon. That’s not the woman the Huntmaster captured. The real onewas very pretty. This one is about as ugly as you can get and stillbe Newman.’
Miranda’s heartalmost froze. Lash could see through her Dragonfly illusion. Shewas the only person that could recognize Miranda. What would thewizard do?
Prendergrassstood there for a moment looking as if he had been hit by lightningthen walked over to her and began whispering in her ear. Lashlistened intently while looking at Dragonfly. Miranda strained tohear what he was saying but it wouldn’t carry. She simply pretendedto be totally immersed in looking at her new image.
Lash eventuallynodded, whispered to the wizard and left.
‘What did youtell her.’ asked Miranda curiously.
‘I said thatDarkmantle likes pretty woman. Currently Lash was his favourite. Ifhe saw the new girl he would want both of you. This would causetrouble and upset both of you, so to preserve the peace I made youlook ugly. This way there would be no problems.’
‘What did shesay?’
‘She saidshe’ll keep quiet about it until she gets sick of him or he becomesa nuisance then you can have him.’
Miranda had tobite her tongue to stop from screaming then quickly composedherself.
‘She is Newman.Have you wiped her mind?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’ repliedPrendergrass. ‘She came here not long before you. She put up anadmirable fight too. It’s a shame but necessary.’
‘Damn her! Idon’t want him… can you remove whatever it is on my back that stopsme from shape changing.’ said Miranda quite annoyed at Lash’scomment.
‘No, not untileveryone believes that you have transformed into Dragonfly and I amconvinced that you have sufficient self-control not to run riot andtry to kill everyone. You will accompany me everywhere, watch,listen and learn. Speak only when spoken to. You need to be seen byeveryone so that they will grow accustomed to your presence.’
‘Why are youdoing this? What are you up to?’
‘Patience, mydear girl, have patience. You’ll find out when the time comes.’said the wizard with a sly smile on his face.
Miranda openedher hand thought of Aquitain and a passion flower appeared in it.She breathed in its wonderful perfume then it turned into a smallgreen bear that looked up at her with loving eyes.
‘You are no illusion mylove. You are a part of me.’ she whispered.
Chapter 23 Swappingprisons
Aquitain was quiteexcited at having escaped from his cell but a bit confused at whatto do next. As he sat in the Newman size chair with a Newman sizedmug of tea he felt like a little child waiting for the adult toform a plan of escape. Llalorax, the wizard just sat there sippinghis tea totally indifferent to Aquitain’s presence.
‘Where are we?’asked Aquitain becoming impatient.
‘Do you meanwhat sort of container are we in or where is the containerlocated.’ replied Llalorax. ‘I can answer the former but not thelatter question.’
‘Can you tellme about the container we are in.’ asked Aquitain a littleannoyed.
‘We are in whatis commonly known as a specimen container. It is a squat bottlemade of thick magic-reinforced glass with a strong permanentminiaturization effect localized within. They are normally used tocapture and transport dangerous animals and of course prisoners.The animal or person is simply teleported into the bottle andshrinks to conform to the miniaturizing effect. You are currentlyabout as small as a beetle.’
‘Thisparticular bottle was created by me as a miniature prison completewith buildings, guards and most importantly food and water. It evenhas grass and a few bushes outside.’
Aquitainthought for a moment and said ‘I don’t believe you.’
Llalorax nearlychoked on his mouthful of tea spilling it down the front of hisrobe. No one in countless years had ever challenged anything thathe had said. He was the Queen’s councillor. People had to believehim.
‘What do youmean you don’t believe me?’ he said belligerently.
‘You said thatyou made this specimen bottle complete with the buildings. However,it would not have been possible for you to transport the dead magicstone into the bottle to build the cells with. Therefore you arelying and we are not in a bottle at all but possibly some sort ofan illusion.’
‘Very astute.’replied Llalorax with a sudden smile.
‘You are asmart little fellow but unfortunately you’re wrong. I did make thebottle and you’re not in an illusion.’
Aquitain felthimself becoming annoyed again. He mentally chanted a calmingmantra. If he was going to get out of here he had to stay calm.Llalorax had some type Geas power on him that forced him not to doanything that might harm the Queen in any way. That would probablyinclude letting Aquitain escape. However, if he assumed thatLlalorax was also sympathetic to him escaping and did not lie whenasked a question he just might be able to figure out how toescape.
He sat therefor a while thinking over his escape from the cells. There wassomething wrong but he couldn’t quite work out what. Then it hithim. The Truth Radiant, where was she?
‘Where is yourfriend Glammer. I would like to thank her for helping me
