Malachite and Magics

"Okay, this is the most important one for us right now," Evelyn said as she held up a palm sized green swirled stone. "This is Malachite. It has other properties, but what we are most focused on with this is that it will crack if there is harm coming our way. Remember this. I plan to make you a necklace with this one it and one for father. I will give them to you later today, but now it needs to charge in the sun. If it cracks, you are in trouble and we need to be repaired."

Peggy gulped and inched closer to look at its shining green surface. "How will  you make a necklace out of it?"

"I'll use my wind magic to create a small blade and series of cuts. Then I'll use my water magic to help smooth out the surface. You can watch me later if you'd like."

"I'd like that," Peggy smiled. This was all new to her and she was delighted that Evelyn was willing to share this kind of magic with her. "Maybe I can learn how to do that?"

"Not with this one," Evelyn thought for a moment. "How about this one," she held up a larger yellow crystal. "This is citrine, it is often used for protection, but it can also help you clear your mind and increase your self-confidence. We can charge it with the sun's energy and then I can show you how to cut it down and we can create a charm for you to wear."

"Do you mean it?" Peggy asked.

"Of course! I'll show you how to do it tomorrow. Today, let's focus back on using your wind magic. The stones around us will charge with the sun's energy, but they will also help you clear your mind. Just close your eyes and try to feel the energy they are giving off."

Peggy sat down on her blanket and closed her eyes. 

"Now, remember what we did yesterday. Clear your mind and feel the wind around you." Evelyn began guiding her. 

**&&**

Off in the distance, downwind, Maxine sat perched up a tall alder tree. She had seen the girls mount their horses and head East. It didn't take her long to discover this large clearing that she knew they would head to if they were planning on doing magics again. What she didn't expect was for that wolf to be going with them. She could smell him from here and if he was there it meant that the Duke was aware that the sisters were witches and they had gotten the "okay" to do magics in his domain. She watched as Evelyn instructed Peggy on how to lay out the crystals and she was pleased to see that they had brought along a large chunk of malachite. She new if was used to warn witches of harm and the had been looking for a charm for quite sometime, now it was just how she was going to get her hands on such a charm without resorting to stealing it. After she saw Peggy close her eyes and the wolf had secured the perimeter, she headed back to the inn to let Clyde know what she had seen. 

Maxine found Clyde sitting in their usual spot in the back of the tavern. He was speaking to George, who seemed to be in a hurry if the way he was downing his glass was any indication. She made her way back to their table, scanning the faces in the room for any sign of the Crown Prince from the day before. She was pleased to see that they were not in attendance and took her usual seat. 

"What are you doing back so early?" Clyde asked with an unusual bite to his tone.

Maxine cleared her throat, "well, the girls set off to a small clearing, but they had that wolf Geoffrey with them, so I couldn't get too close. I thought you'd like to know that Evelyn is in possession of a rather large piece of Malachite! I saw her place it out in the sun and explain that she plans to make some charms out of it. I know you've been looking for one for some time and I thought it was best to tell you right away."

"That is good to know," Clyde mused. He was relieved to know that nothing had happened to his little bird. He could picture her out in the sun with its rays warming her face and a small smile settled on his lips. He took a sip from his glass, "that is all very good to know. Now, the question is how do we ask her for a charm without her knowing that we've been spying on her?"

"That won't be a problem," Maxine reassured him. "If she does make the charms like she said she would, I'm sure that her father will have it on when we are at the ball. We can ask him where he got them."

"While that sounds good, would he even tell us if Evelyn was the one that made it? To be in possession of malachite is very rare, and to have it on as a charm is even more rare. We rarely even see it at the auctions. He might not tell us.

"If I may," George interrupted as he adjusted his glasses. "Duke Henry is very involved in the black market and auction houses. I think it would be in our best interest to strike a deal with him. His connections are vast and his small force of spies is very good at what they do. I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement with him since we have similar interests."

"Very well," Clyde said before he finished the rest of his glass. He dabbed the corners of his mouth with the cloth napkin. "George, see what you can do to get in touch with the leader of his spies. He  should have something set up to notify them and set up a meeting. Are our arraignments for the ball settled?"

"Yes, sire. I secured both the ball and the hunting trip that you have requested. Is there anything else that I can do for you?" George asked.

"No, set up that meeting with his spies.  That will be all." Clyde dismissed him. Now that everything was in motion, he only wished that he could be near her again, but he knew it was best to wait. He wanted to be sure that he didn't scare her away before he could confirm the connection that he felt to Evelyn. "All in good time," he hummed.