Summary: Morgause finds the Rowan Staff, a magical item able to summon immortal skeletons. Minerva and Morgause team up with King Ivan of Bosco and plot the downfall of Fiore. Meanwhile, King Faust and his sons' still believe Minerva's on their side.

~ ~ ~

"You're late," Minerva said, getting up from the log. "I left the castle five minutes ago."

"I have a gift for you," Morgause crooned, not even bothering to respond to her comment.

Minerva's eyes sparkled with delight. "What is it?"

The blonde-haired sorceress pulled out an elegant, wooden staff and handed it to the king's ward.

"A staff.." she murmured, tracing her finger along the smooth wood.

"Not just any staff. It's the Rowan Staff, carved from the Rowan Tree."

"And where is the Rowan Tree?"

"Far away in a place called the Isle of the Blest."

"I thought that was a myth!" Minerva exclaimed, looking down at the magical item hungrily.

"Faust lied."

Minerva's eyes darkened. The next words came out of her mouth almost instinctively. "He will pay."

"Indeed."

"What does this..staff do?"

The other woman smiled. "Come with me. We need to visit the king of Bosco."

~ ~ ~

Igneel told me I needed to practice my magic more. So what better way to practice magic than using it to steal the prince's exquisite dessert?

I concentrated hard on the plump strawberry that was perched on his slice of strawberry cake. I was tempted to whisper the spell, but that would go against the exercise- using just the brain to summon items. 

Once my mind had a good grip on the strawberry, I summoned Jellal's armor from behind and banged it against the door. Quickly, I set the metal armor down. I could feel the start of a piercing headache throb from behind my temple.

"What was that?" Jellal asked, getting up from his chair.

"Someone knocked."

He opened the door and checked the hallway.

I almost laughed, the pain of the mental exercise fading away. It was just too easy! I didn't even bother to use magic, I just grabbed the strawberry and stuck it in my mouth.

Closing the door, the crown prince walked back into his room, looking grumpy.

"It was probably Natsu," I told him.

"Stupid salmon-haired idiot," Jellal grumbled, making me even happier.

I had stolen a piece of fruit, bothered Jellal, and gotten Natsu in trouble in less than five minutes!

"What's that in your mouth?" Jellal asked, walking towards me.

I froze. Oops. I guess I celebrated too early.

"Um.."

Jellal raised his eyebrows.

"Fruit."

He chuckled, "You could have just asked me, you know."

~ ~ ~

The king of Bosco was a large man with a visage that would scare even the grandest of bears. With a throne that rose several feet high and garmets that gleamed brighter than gold, he was a man that evoked fear in his people and enemies. 

"King Ivan Dreyar," Morgause said, bobbing her head. She was in too much of a hurry to waste time with courtly etiquettes.

"My lady," he responded. Ivan surveyed Minerva with distaste. "And what is Faust's ward doing here? You know better than to bring any of Faust's people in my kingdom!"

"Ah," Morgause said defensively. "But she's special."

Minerva stood beside Morgause, clutching the Rowan Staff nervously.

"And how so?"

"I...I hate Faust as much as you do," Minerva squeaked, stepping behind the older woman.

Ivan laughed. "If you say so-"

Morgause held out her hand and the king began to choke.

"O-Okay..I-I'm..s-sorry..."

"Release him!" a young blonde-haired man yelled, clumsily rushing toward the two women.

"Oh..Look who it is!" Morgause whispered, releasing the king. "Prince Laxus."

Laxus hesitantly took his seat on the throne beside his gasping father.

"What do you want Morgause?" Ivan asked.

"I want to help you."

"With what?"

"Destroy Fiore."

~ ~ ~

"A patrol from Bosco was spotted in southern Fiore," Gray reported.

"Bosco," Faust muttered. "I absolutely detest King Ivan Dreyar and his son."

"Prince Laxus is fine to me," Jellal muttered, so softly only I could hear it.

"Perhaps he's declaring war," Natsu suggested. I felt like punching him. Did he want war?

"Perhaps," Faust said. "We must wait and see."

~ ~ ~

"Father, what are you doing?" Laxus growled angrily. "This isn't right. Fiore hasn't bothered us in years!"

"We are still enemies. And the Lady Morgause always wins."

"She's not a lady," Laxus retorted. "She's an evil sorceress."

"What are you, a Fernandes?" Ivan joked. "We allow magic in our country."

"Enough," Makarov said quietly. "Laxus, come with me."

"Oh! Look who's here!" Ivan said, his eyes glittering with malice.

"HE'S WRONG!" Laxus shouted, turning to Makarov. "TELL MY FATHER HE'S WRONG! HE'S WRONG! AND I-"

The old man pulled his grandson out of the room before his father could punish him.

~ ~ ~

"And how do I know this is the real Rowan Staff?" Ivan asked, looking at the staff.

"Simple," Morgause said, smiling. She grabbed the staff from Minerva and whispered, "Yuriko catyl  iqthis! Rise, soldier of the dead!"

The marble floor split and a single skeleton rose from the ground. "My lady."

Ivan Dreyar looked at the skeleton with delight. "I am truly glad we're allies, my lady."

Minerva smiled proudly as Morgause handed her back the Rowan Staff.

"These skeletons with invade the castle?" Minerva inquired.

"Yes. And they can't be killed. They will reform within minutes," Morgause said. 

"But what am I to do?" Minerva asked. "I can't fight!"

"No," the other woman said calmly. "You will guard the Rowan Staff. If this staff is destroyed, then all of the skeletons will fall. You must bring this staff into the heart of Fiore. You know where that is, don't you?"

Minerva nodded. "Of course. The dungeons deep below the castle."

~ ~ ~

"Where are you going?" I asked, running to catch up with the prince. He hit my shoulder playfully. 

"To tell everyone you attempted and failed to steal my dessert."

I stared at him, mortified. "Please don't!"

"Hmm," Jellal said, pretending to think carefully. "If you make my bed, do my laundry, and ask the chefs to cook my favorite dinner, then I won't."

I nodded quickly. "Yes, sire!"