Let Slip The Princesses of War Read Free Page B

bringing him back proves too dangerous, leave him.”
    I was getting kind of tired of all this mystery talk.  Can’t tell you the identity of the prince, secret weapon.  WTF Snow?
    “I’m getting kind of tired of all this mystery talk!” I broke in. “Can you, at least, tell us the ‘identity’ of the secret weapon?  I’d feel a lot better tramping all over enemy territory rescuing random people if I knew what the hell we were after!”
    Ms. White nodded.  “Fair enough.  The Magic Mirror.”
    That shook us again.  We all knew about the Magic Mirror.  It had played a big part in Snow White’s story and it was a powerful tool.  The Magic Mirror could be used to spy on just about anybody and it wasn’t just a dumb tool.  The Slave of the Mirror could make correct judgments.  If you asked it who is the Fairest Of Them All, it would search the world and compare everybody and find the actual, objective, Fairest.  Which meant, of course, that you could also ask it strategic questions like, where is the weakest point to attack?  If Mallory had the mirror, that would explain how she knew when and where to attack us.
    “But the Magic Mirror was destroyed!” I pointed out.
    “Yesh!  Destroyed!” joined Sweet Pea.
    Ms. White continued.  “Our intelligence indicates that Mallory has recreated it.  When my own sweet Prince defeated Mallory and smashed the Mirror,” a single tear shone in her eye, “he scattered the shards into the sea so that no one could ever recreate it.  But, you know princes.”
    We nodded.  We DID know princes.
    “He underestimated her patience and resources.”
    This was the problem with princes.  Any problem that required too much forethought was outside their wheelhouse. 
    “Mallory has gathered the shards and recast the mirror.  And she’s bound the slave anew.  But the weapon that she wields so effectively against us can be turned against her.  If we can obtain the Mirror, we can find her weakness.  Mallory has always been overconfident.  In reforging the Mirror she has finally given us the opening we need!”
    “Show” slurred Pea.  “Lesh may shee” (ok.  I’ll translate).  “So, let me see if I’ve got this straight.  We’re going to enter enemy territory, free two heavily guarded prisoners, find the Magic Mirror, (which is probably the most well-guarded item Mallory possesses), steal the Mirror and return here with the Mirror and the two prisoners?  Is that right?”
    “Yes.” Replied Shay.  “That’s basically the plan.”
    “Can’t be done.” Said Pea shaking her head and taking a drink.  Then she stood up, checked her guns and said, “When do we leave?”
    I stood and steadied Pea as she started to topple.
    “You leave first thing in the morning.” Answered Shay.
    “Excellent!” Said Ms. White.  “I’m really hopeful for the first time in years.  Thank you all!”
    Cinderella and Ms. White and I walked into the corridor where some servants waited.  “Would you please show our guests to their quarters?”  
    I was really looking forward to sleeping in a real bed.  The first time in a long time and probably the last.
    Then just as I was turning back to call for Pea, she pushed past me.  “I’m sleeping in the stables! I won’t spend a night under the same roof as that woman!”
    Shay gave me a look and a shrug.  Not really an explanation or an apology, just a shrug.
    Damn!  If Pea was sleeping in the stables, so was I.  Partners to the end and all.  Damn! I looked at Cinderella, pleading.
    “No fucking way.  I’m sleeping in a palace tonight!”  Cindy never was much of a team player.
     

CHAPTER 4
     
    Ben jumped up as we came out of the palace and he followed us as we trudged to the stables.  There was no point in arguing with Pea.  The stable hand was surprised to see us, but he knew better than to make a fuss.  He pointed us to a loft with fresh hay and we climbed up.  Ben, who couldn’t climb the ladder to