Edited by Brett Heller

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 license.

"Bryong, settle down. You look beautiful and Kinewyn and Coveark are going to meet us in the Throne Room. Stephen called on the cell phone and said that he will meet us after our presentation to the Queen." Max opens the door to the green room and ushers the young freecaster into the hall.

Bryong walks down the white corridor where a few of the Queen's assistants , surprisingly dressed with little difference than Max are smiling at her. Two double doors open and Bryong is ushered into Winifred Proach's studio. The crowd applauds and Bryong is taken aback by the number of people the queen allows in her court. Which person is Winifred is evident immediately. The structure of the entire room is created to allow Winifred Proach to be visible and audible to all in her court.

Max seems relieved to see Kinewyn and Coveark are already seated on a plush couch across from Winifred. Bryong is reassured by his smile. Winifred is elegant and pretty but her posture and clothes do not appear to be that of a noble to Bryong.

Winifred rises from the couch and walks to greet Bryong. Bryong looks to Max, startled that the Queen of America, is approaching her without guard or ceremony. Immediately she stops and places one knee to the ground and lowers her head. Winifred stops, smiles to her audience and then continues to Bryong and stoops down to meet her eyes, "Bryong, welcome to my show. Thank you very much for coming." Winifred places her hand on Bryong's shoulder as she says this. Bryong starts as a wheeled camera sweep behind her. "Nothing to worry about, Bryong. Please sit down with me."

Bryong rises and walks to the plush single chair that has been set for her. Max sits with Kinewyn and Coveark on the couch. Bryong notices Coveark scanning the crowd for danger. The old elf and the ranger look strikingly out of place, journey worn adventurer's garb interrupted by weapons and carried provisions. Winifred sits and and straitens the loose sleeves of her Charvet silk crepe blouse with French cuffs. Bryong shifts uneasily and pulls at a thread on her rune embroidered jerkin. Despite the attention Winifred's people paid to the young freecaster in the green room, watermarks and wear are visible on her attire and she is quite aware of her appearance.

"Bryong, Kinewyn, your mentor for the last seven years, has told us that you are a talented freecaster," Winifred's says in a voice that is pleasant and inviting. "Could you explain to us in your own words what a freecaster is?"

Bryong reflexively nods in deference to royalty but pauses as she looks out at the audience. The audience is casual and their anticipation can be seen in their positions. They are unlike any audience Bryong has ever seen in a nobles court.

"Of course, Queen Winifred." Bryong continues. She notices a quick hand gesture Max makes to a producer near one of the cameras. "I am a free caster which means that I can use arcane knowledge to cast a number of different spells. I know less spells than a wizard of equal learning but I can cast more spells between each slumber than a wizard can cast."

Winifred takes a moment to smile at her audience and then the camera before asking, "What type of spells?"

"Oh, I know all spells from the first seven circle of the Gentrod Libram. Spells of protection, standard offense spells such as Lightning Bolt and Fireball. Spells that will bind a man or spells that will purify provisions. Since I studied with the Clerics of Crixiven for some time I am also capable of casting some divine healing spells."

Winifred shifts back in her seat, displaying comfort and warmth to her guests. "Could you show us a few of your spells, perhaps?"

Bryong reminds herself that this is not the first time she has cast for a Queen. The young freecaster stands. "Of course, Queen Winifred. This is my bag of gold pieces. Kinewyn instructs us to carry fifty gold at all times for dealing with local merchants or guards who would see their palms crossed with precious metals or the like. I am sure none of those are in your employ," Bryong falters in her speech for a moment, worried she has insulted her host.

Winifred immediately reassures her and Bryong continues. "As you can see, this gold piece is stamped with the likeness of King Trajon and it would be accepted at any port in his kingdom." Bryong places the gold piece she is displaying back into the bag and twists the leather top of the bag. She places her palm a few inches below the bag and lets go with her upper hand. The bag floats as tendrils of white light snake around the bag. Delight appears on Bryong's face as she lets the spell wend and then lets the bag drop back into her hand. She plucks a gold piece from inside, handing it to Winifred. It glows white as through the whole of the gold piece were made from radiance.