"Big enough that it won't be easy to hide, but if he misbehaves, he would always make for a fine stew," Morgana chuckled evilly as Duke Fagult's eyes desperately alternated between me and Morgana. I was focused on other things. Whilst Duke Fagult had entered in an over-the-top manner, no one had followed him. In fact, there appeared to be no one else in the lair itself, which bolstered my suspicion. Duke Fagult had made his men do all the work, then ordered them out of the way when time came to make his entrance so he could play the hero who rescues the princess. What a fool. And this was the kind of moron the king and queen would want me to marry.
"His men are probably outside waiting for him, what about them?" I asked, seeing a flash of hope in Duke Fagult's eyes at my words. I shook my head again. He really was a fool.
"Should we invite them in to join their master? You need more than one rabbit to make a proper stew," Morgana asked teasingly, to which I gave her a look that demanded she get serious. "Oh, I wouldn't worry, my dear apprentice, it's not so easy to leave the environs of my lair. They'll be around long enough for you to practice on as well." Satisfied that I wouldn't have to worry about a sudden influx of Duke Fagult's supporters, I shrugged.
"Now, time to get down to business," Morgana licked her lips and rubbed her hands eagerly. "Normally I would reserve this pleasure for myself, but seeing as it's your first time, I suppose I shall have to be generous. Of course, do not think it will be easy. Transformation magic must be modified within the body of the caster. That means you are susceptible to backlash should you lose focus. Do try to be careful," Morgana sneered, her voice dripping with insincerity. "You have been taught the basics of channeling magic, I assume?"
"Yes, but only light and healing magic, it's the only ones women are allowed to learn," you replied, a little embarrassed at your lack of education in front of one of the greatest witches known.
"What a waste," Morgana spat, her disgust obvious. "So much potential strangled because women are willing to chain themselves to such petty creatures." Morgana turned to me and gave directions. "Take some of the magic in your body and form a thin layer over that wretch over there," Morgana nodded, indicating Duke Fagult. "Ensure the connection between the magic on him and the magic within you stays strong, and use your awareness of the magic on him to create a copy consisting of the magic inside you. Once you have an exact facsimile, you can mold the magic within you into the form you wish to impose on him. Do not get distracted or let up on the pressure, or some of the transformation magic may get loose within you and wreak havoc."
I focused on the instructions given by Morgana, and while I was nervous, I also found myself curious and almost eager. A new type of magic, forbidden to women of the kingdom, and taught to me by an expert. I was determined not to make a fool of myself in front of her. Duke Fagult's fate suddenly became irrelevant.
I ignored the terrified look in Duke Fagult's eyes and cautiously reached out with my magic to create a thin layer of magic across Duke Fagult's body that would be even and skin-tight. It was similar to the way healing magic would work, as magic would have to cover the area of the wound, but here I needed to cover the entire body. I closed my eyes to sharpen my focus. When I was finally sure I had a perfect layer of magic, I used the connection with that layer to create a smaller version in the exact same shape using the magic still left within me. Truthfully, that was the easy part.
Finally I reached the point where I began to shape the magic within me, which should reflect itself onto the magic covering Duke Fagult. I pictured a chubby, furry, soft rabbit in my mind's eye and began pushing and pulling the magic like clay out of a humanoid form and into that of a rabbit. I felt the changes begin to take place, then...