Jasper realised that she had no choice. Her locket was hidden inside the bodice of her dress. She didn’t have quick access to it. After feeding the infants she had done up her bodice and essentially locked the locket in her cleavage. She would have to undo buttons before it could be retrieved.
Nervously she stood in front of the witch. Lady Sascheme’s guards had turned her wheelchair so she was essentially facing the hall. The room was deathly quiet. You could have heard a pin drop.
“Right girl. Let’s see who you really are. Hands out stretched. I’m going to scan you”
Jasper had no choice but to trust the silver locket would hide the amulet’s magic. She did as the witch demanded, holding her arms outstretched, cursing her own stupidity.
The witch was waving her outstretched palms and muttering some sort of incantation.
“I sense magic!” shrieked the witch.
Jasper almost fainted in shock. She was done for.
But then the witch diverted her eyes from Jasper and looked to the rear of the hall. “There! That woman in green by the door! Detain her! Bring her to me!”
Jasper looked to where the witch was pointing. Guards were surrounding a woman. A woman in a green dress. A woman with blonde hair. With horror Jasper realised it was Patricia.
Patricia attempted to struggle against guards but they held her tightly. She was brought to the front of the hall. “You aimed magic at me! Who are you? Don’t try and lie. I have more power in my little finger than you could summon in a lifetime”
“Lady Patricia!” uttered a shocked Sir Richard, still standing by Jasper’s side.
“You know this woman?” uttered the witch, turning her attention to Richard
“Yes she is Jasmine’s employer. The wife of Simon Muscat the wine merchant”
“She is a witch! Not a powerful one mind you but a witch all the same. What spell were you casting at me?”
“I was just trying to protect Lady Jasmine” pleaded Patricia.
“I detect Jasmine’s hair is disguised but that is all. What makes you think Lady Jasmine needs protecting?”
“She is my friend”
“Speak the truth” Lady Sascheme cast a spell on Patricia. “Who is Lady Jasmine?”
“Jasmine is the wet nurse my husband found fleeing the fall of the capitol. I know she has red hair and I think she might be a royal princess in disguise” Patricia intoned this in the droning voice similar to that the new duchess had been talking with.
“Hiding a royal princess are we. That’s treason. That will cost you 30 years in prison. Or I could just take those years off you. Yes, I need rejuvenation. Watch everyone. See what happens to treasonous witches” Lady Sascheme began to incant again. To Jasper’s and everyone else’s horror Patricia aged before her eyes. The young mother who had perhaps been 25 years of age suddenly looked to be middle aged. Her face lost its youthfulness. She developed crow’s feet around her eyes and wrinkles on her cheeks and forehead. She also lost her youthful shape as her breasts sagged and her back hunched.
There was a general hubbub through the room. It quietened when everyone noticed how Lady Sascheme was rejuvenated. She lost 30 years of age. She was still old but now only looked to be in her 60’s. She stood up, no longer needing a wheel chair. “That feels much better. But I need to go further. You’re just lucky this spell limits ageing you to that of your mother”
Patricia moaned as she examined her now age spotted hands.
“Take her to a cell” Lady Sascheme addressed her guards, dismissing the now 55 year old Patricia