Never mind that, I thought. You know what to do, right?
I do, she replied, and, without breaking stride, Allison raised both hands and said something just under her breath. I knew her magic was earth-based magic, and often worked in concert with Gaia herself, Mother Earth. How this translated into another world, I didn't know, but I suspected she was calling upon the nature entities around her-nature entities in this world-seeking their help and guidance, and whatever else they could offer her.
"Stop, witch!" said Rory, and made to draw his sword, but I was behind him before he could, and I caught his reaching hand behind his back. I used some of my old agency training, and drove a knee into the back of one leg. And with nearly all my strength, I forced him down to his stomach and face, his arm still pinned behind him. In his defense, the movement had been faster than any he'd probably ever seen. That I had the great knight pinned to the ground was not something I was especially proud of. I knew Rory to be a good man and fearless warrior. Little did he know the depth of the betrayal around him.
As he struggled, and as the Queen stood back, aghast, a pulsing bubble of clear energy expanded from Allison's hands.
Squire Caleb leaped forward, drawing his own sword and swinging it so fast and smooth that I was certain I wasn't going to reach him in time before Allison got her head cut off. I had just made a move to stop him when the bubble of energy burst and Caleb and his sword somersaulted backward, only to be pinned against the domed ceiling high above.
Due to all the excitement, I had relaxed my hold on Rory, and the man sent me hurtling through the air. Unlike Caleb, I landed on my feet and turned and faced the realm's most decorated knight, who just so happened to be the queen's right-hand personal protector, a man she was secretly in love with, and he with her. Good stuff, all of which had kept me riveted to the pages.
"Stop!" shouted a voice. It was the queen, and, to her credit, she leaped between us, holding the hem of her gown.
"My Queen, they are witches-"
"They are angels, Sir Rory."
The man blinked. "I thought I heard you say angels, Your Highness."
"Indeed. They were sent from the Creator, Rory. You must trust me on this. They are here in answer to my prayers. They are here to find my baby."
"But they attacked the noble Caleb!"
"If I might interject here," I said, glancing at Allie. Her thin but muscular arms shook as she focused the energy that kept the squire pinned to the ceiling. "Squire Caleb isn't who you think he is. Squire Caleb has been dabbling in the dark arts."
"What are you saying, Lady Tam Tam?" asked the queen.
"Possession," said Rory, lowering his sword. He turned and stared up at the young man still pinned to the ceiling. "By Gods, that makes sense. The strange behavior. The strange questions. The strange... everything."
"Possessed by whom?" asked the queen.
"I think you know, Your Highness," I said.
"The Foul Wizard Xander?"
"Indeed," I said.
Queen Autumn turned to Allison. "Bring him down, Wench Allie."
My friend shot me an irritated look, then closed her eyes. Above, nearly invisible cords had appeared and looped around the young squire. Then Allie opened her eyes and lowered her hands, and as she did so, the young man, now rotating in the air like a rotisserie chicken, floated down.
"Impressive," I said under my breath.
"And don't you forget it, Lady Tam Tam," she hissed back.
The young man came to rest on his feet and probably would have stumbled and fallen if not for Allison and her ability to control the energy around her.
Queen Autumn stood before the young man. "What have you to say for yourself?"
"He can't talk, Your Highness," said Allison, grunting a little. I suspected the Foul Wizard Xander was fighting her with a little magic of his own.
A lot of magic, she mentally grunted. I can't hold him off for long.
"Queen Autumn," I said, "Xander conspired to kidnap your daughter."
The squire's eyes widened manically. And just as the queen and Rory moved toward him, Caleb/Xander burst free from Allison's bonds. Opaque cords flew in every direction, only to dissolve before they hit the ground.
Caleb turned and faced Allison.
"This isn't the last you've seen of me, witch!"
"I knew it!" said Rory, looking at us.
And with that, Caleb spun once, twice, and three times for good measure, and disappeared from the room.
"Merciful Mother of us all," whispered the queen.