"Very well."Very well. Go with them." King Fionn gestured them out and looked at Jessica. The one-eyed woman made him uneasy but he wasn't sure why. "Virsha, take money and pelts. Wait in wagon," Janesse said, sticking her head back in. She went through a complicated series of gestures. Jess watched and then nodded. Making a bow to King Fionn, who looked puzzled at Janesse's pantomime, she covered her ears and then her mouth with her hands, explaining she was deaf and dumb. She picked up the furs and the money and left with only a single guard following her in escort. The security here was nothing compared to Dark Hold; these people were far too trusting. The princess chambers were at the top of the eastern tower, and Janesse followed Brianna and Agnes up the stairs. She prepared the components of the spell in her belt pouch and rehearsed the words once more. Agnes opened the door on a lovely pink and gold room, daintily decorated in a manner befitting a princess. Janesse followed, feigning amazement. "Where's the dress and cloak, Barbarian? I haven't got all night." As she handed the white furs over, Janesse mumbled something under her breath and powdered the spell components between her fingers and touched them on Agnes' exposed arm as if by accident. "I am your most trusted friend," Janesse quietly informed the princess' lady in waiting. "You trust me completely and will do whatever I ask." Agnes turned to regard Janesse with star-struck eyes as the spell took control of her will. "I will do whatever you ask," she repeated dreamily. "You are my most trusted friend." Janesse nodded and gestured to the princess. "Your lady requires assistance. Go to her before she must call you." Agnes turned back to the princess as if nothing had happened. Smiling smugly, Janesse prepared the components for the same spell again. As Brianna struggled with the white fox dress, which Jessica had subtly altered with needle and thread the night before to make it especially difficult to get into, Janesse moved forward as if to help. "What is the matter with this Celestra-forsaken dress!" Brianna whined, in frustration. "I cannot get into it. Agnes! My arm is stuck! Help me with this!" She turned to Janesse with scorn. "Can you barbarians not even make a simple lady's garment correctly?" "Garment fine," Janesse grumbled. |