Inktober Day 28: Sparkle

 Chapter 23

They made it to the top of the tower and they saw Kandra at the far side of the battlements, facing away from them. She was holding the circlet up above her head and chanting something Magda did not understand.

They watched for a moment, contemplating what to do, but Wendell quickly took hold of his sword and prepared himself to move. Just when Wendell was about to launch his attack, the circlet began to sparkle violently, blinding them both. Kandra lowered the circlet onto her head and laughed to herself, still not turning to face them.

Once he had adjusted to the light enough, Wendell made a move to assault her. He approached quickly, but quietly. Despite his stealth, just when he was about to strike, Kandra turned and with a single wave of her hand, he was thrown backward. Magda rushed to his side.

“Do you think, sir knight, that you have any hope of overcoming me?” Kandra said. “With the Powers of not one,” she held up the dagger. “But two kings in my possession, I’m afraid I am more formidable than you are prepared to handle.”

“Two?” Magda said. She had not inspected the dagger when it was in her possession, but as Kandra held it aloft now, Magda recognized the inscription upon it. It was exactly like that which adorned her circlet. “What is this?”

Kandra smiled and returned the dagger to her side.

“My dear princess,” she said. “You know nothing of your own history. As it happens, very few do. It’s quite tragic that two sides of one family should be so separated. You do not even know your connection to this very tower upon which we stand, do you?”

Magda furrowed her brow. What was this witch speaking of? How could she know more about Magda’s history than Magda did?

“Then tell me, witch,” Magda said, with as much venom as she could muster. “Tell me my own story, if you know it so well.”

Kandra laughed. “I could, child. But what is the point of doing so, if you are to die so shortly?”

“What is going to happen when your master finds out that you have taken his prize for yourself?” Magda stood as she said this.

Kandra’s veneer slipped a little. “You would do well not to invoke such things as you know nothing of.”

“I know he wants the circlet,” Magda said, walking a few paces away from Wendell, around the perimeter of the battlements. She did not know quite what to do, but she could at least try to stall for time. Time for what, she did not know.

“And I know,” Magda continued, “that he did not tell you about the circlet.” Kandra frowned, her face betraying anger. “I can also guess that he probably did not know about the dagger, or else why did he not take it from you?”

“Shut up, you stupid girl!” Kandra said, raising her dagger in Magda’s direction.

“There’s only one thing I cannot figure out.” Magda said. She had walked far enough that Kandra was no longer facing Wendell, her furious gaze fixed on Magda.

“What’s that?” 

“Why you have not killed us yet.” If Kandra looked angry before, her face was absolutely murderous now. “After all, my man is so easily overwhelmed by your staggering power, and I am but a helpless child. Why do you not advance on us?”

“Perhaps I do not waste such power on such unworthy opponents.”

“Perhaps,” Magda said. “Then who is a worthy opponent? Your master?”

Kandra looked like she was contemplating what to say, but she never got the chance, for at that moment, a voice sounded from the island below.