Page 55 of The Broken Mirror
As they run for their lives after a near kiss and a murder and the League of Seven reveal, all Filomena can think is:What ancient clause was Queen Christina talking about?
PROLOGUETICKTOCK, TICKTOCK
Magic mirror on the wall,
Will this deadline ruin it all?
The summer solstice around the bend,
A crown to find, a frog to turn back into a prince, and a kingdom to mend.
The League of Seven has been found,
But can they get their feet on solid ground?
Two more fairies gone, so the clause must hold strong,
But if a thief returns, what will he do wrong?
The heroes continue, split up, go forth.
Only their friendship will be their true north.
Magic mirror on the wall,
There is so much to do.
Can the heroes do it all?
PARTTHREE
Wherein…
An ancient clause puts our heroes on a deadline.
A new talking mirror appears in Never After.
And spells, coronations, and betrayals abound!
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENTHEPRIMEMINISTER’SANNOUNCEMENT
The prime minister of Eastphalia stands before the Eastphalian talking mirror, readying for his announcement. He looks into the mirror, which is refusing to engage with him and is posing as a normal mirror. This works fine for the moment; the prime minister could use a glance at his reflection before he appears in front of all of Never After.
He adjusts his cravat, smooths the lines in his suit. He thinks to himself that he looks dignified. Like a real ruler.He takes a breath. This announcement will change everything. Is he really going to lead Never After down this path? There’s a pinch in the back of his mind. What’s that feeling? That nag? It’s what one might call a conscience. But the prime minister learned how to shut that down long ago, and now it makes an effort to rear its head only on rare occasions. He supposes this is one such occasion.
He assures his conscience that it’s fine, he’s doing the right thing here. When this announcement is out in the world and the takeover is complete, he’ll finally have real power. He won’t have to worry about silly things like democracy or elections. He’ll be able to make a real impact.
He’s a fan of order. A man of regulations who prizes ordinance, the unanimous following of rules. Societies and civilizations must be controlled! Never After is far out of order these days, isn’t it? Isn’t this what the fairies were always on about, this disorganized idea of letting various communities of Never After rule themselves? The fairies encouraged Never After’s monarchs to act as guiding figures to their kingdoms—help with decision-making, run frivolous festivals and silly gatherings, deal in connection and morale—rather than rule with the strict discipline the prime minister intends to deliver.
Yes, yes, quite right. He’s settled it with his conscience now. See? He’s doing the right thing. Yes, most definitely. No doubt in his mind.
He smooths his suit for the umpteenth time and instructsthe talking mirror to project his image to the other twelve talking mirrors of Never After. The mirror rolls its eyes, unbelieving that, after millennia of being respected and revered, it has to put up with this stodgy try-hard’s rules. But the mirror has no choice in the matter.
The prime minister takes a breath and commences his announcement.
“Good afternoon, citizens of Never After…,” he begins.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHTMESSAGERECEIVED
