A Test of Wit

Originally Posted to Deviantart on August 24th, 2017

“Alright, here you go, Milady!”  said a knight, dumping one final bucket of water into the tub of the bathing chamber.  It was very spacious for a personal bath, just the kind someone of royalty would expect.  “A day’s journey, all from the Singing River, for the most fair Princess.”

 

Princess Maria frowned.  “I told you, sir knight.  You didn’t have to make that journey.  Any water would be fine for me to bathe in.”  Despite her best efforts, Maria was still treated as a pampered princess.  She was focused on finding ways to give back to her kingdom over the past several months, eventually turning to magic in the last week.  Magic proved potentially effective, the only issue was she had to remain stealthy about how she used it.  Her father would be furious if she had done anything even slightly resembling work.  She was very limited in what she could do..

 

“Milady, it’s the King’s orders.  You get the best!  Your fair smile brings a lot of sunshine to the kingdom!”  The knight politely bowed.

 

Maria rolled her eyes.  “You overwork yourselves for me.  What my father won’t know, won’t hurt him.”

 

“Nonsense, you are a fair princess!”  The knight said.  “The water is clean, but I fear it may be a bit too cold, would you like me to prepare a fire?”

 

“No,” Maria sighed.  Everyone who ever had to serve Maria always went overboard with doing everything for her.  Getting this knight out of the chamber was going to need a little work.  “The cool water is good for my skin, it helps keep it healthy you see.  Please, step out and guard the door.”

 

“Right away, Princess.  Should you change your mind, simply knock.”  The Knight bowed, before walking out of the bathing chamber.  He shut the door behind him, and stood vigilantly outside.  

 

Maria sighed.  “Someday I’ll have to show off the magic I can use.”  She shook her head, and began removing her dress, pulling it off over her head, revealing her more slender figure.  Her silk bra contained her breasts, which were a little larger than one might expect from a girl with her physique.  This was also true of her bottom, where her matching silk panties also clung to her body.

 

Despite her frustrations with the knight and the rest of the Kingdom, Maria smiled as she gripped her bra and began to pull it upwards.  Maria found her usual sheltered treatment annoying, however, she was still one to look forward to a hot relaxing bath.  Of course, the bath water hadn’t been warmed yet, but Maria had been practicing her spells.

 

Soon, her bra was discarded near her dress.  The panties followed soon after as the completely naked princess took a few steps towards her bath.  She looked over the water, and took a quick glance back at the door to the bathing chamber.  Then she looked over all the open windows, to ensure she wasn’t being watched.

 

Maria took a deep breath, and clenched her fist.  She began to channel a glowing energy in her hand, with thoughts of purity in her mind.  With one more look at the bath in front of her, Maria’s eyes began to glow.  She thrusted her hand forward, sending the energy into water, making it glow brightly.

 

When the glow faded, the water was completely clear.  The princess could see the floor underneath the water, as if looking through glass.  Her water cleaning spell had worked like a charm.  

 

“Ohh…”  Maria put her hands on the edge of the bath, her strength rapidly fleeing her, and she felt a little dizzy.  Her limbs felt suddenly very weak, with something as simple as standing becoming difficult  Using that magic felt taxing on her body, making her feel physically exhausted.  She knew the bath would soothe her plenty and it would be better to get in now, but she had just one more spell to try.

 

“Alright…” She took a deep breath, regaining her composure.  Maria stood upright, and tried to channel some mystical energy again, this time, focusing on fire.  With her magic, she would make the water warm.  The energy began to slowly glow in her hand, and she began to see white flames.  

 

“Eeeya!”  Maria shouted, through the white fire towards the water.  Again it glowed, and when the glow faded, Maria looked over the water, and stuck her hand in it.  It wasn’t warm or hot at all.  It wasn’t freezing either, far from it.  It seemed to be whatever temperature it was when the knight got it there, which was fairly cool to the touch.

 

“Ugh, it’s that stupid fire with no heat spell…”  Maria shook her head.  Her mastery of magic was very limited, having borrowed a book full of spells more useful to maidens rather than mages.  She only knew three different spells from the book so far.  She sighed in defeat.  “This will have to do,” she said, regretting having told that knight not to make a fire.  The naked princess slowly climbed into her bath, and let her body sink in.

 

The coolness of the water was a slight shock to her naked form, quickly making her shiver.  However, there was also a pleasing feeling going on over her body.  Everywhere the water touched began to quickly feel rejuvenated.  It was very cool, but still soothing.

 

Maria took her time washing herself, conflicted about how she felt.  If she could have gotten the water hot, this bath would have been absolutely divine.  Although it was still refreshing, it wasn’t the sort of bath Maria could have truly indulged in.  It was simply a cold bath.

 

Still, she washed herself, and when she was done, she decided to take a more comfortable position in the tub, wanting to enjoy it a little longer.  It could stand to be warmer, but Maria wasn’t about to bother a guard to tend to her.

 

As Maria laid back, she looked out one of the nearby windows to appreciate the view of the sky.  The princess smiled, and did a stretch, feeling very refreshed.  She closed her eyes and simply let herself soak in the soothing water.

 

A few minutes later, there was a flapping noise.  Maria opened her eyes and looked towards the window and saw a small bird perched on the window ledge.  It looked at Maria and tilted its head quizzically.

 

“Oh, a little bird!”  Maria smiled, sitting up and then crawling towards the bird, getting as close as she could without leaving the bath.  “Have you come to sing for me?”

 

Instead of giving a few delightful chips, the bird ruffled its feathers, and leaped off the ledge of the window into the center of the room.  What happened next, caught Maria by surprise.  In the span of a short second, the bird resembled more of a blur, and one that grew larger quickly.  When it landed, stood a full grown woman.

 

She wore a long black dress, one that hugged her large breasts and curvy figure.  Her hair was also black, and ran down past her shoulders.  She looked to be only a little bit older than Maria herself.  

 

The mysterious woman turned towards Maria, and winked.  “Well hello there, Princess.”

 

“Ah!”  Maria sunk as low into the water as she could and wrapped her arms around her breasts.  Even though she didn’t like having guards tend to her all the time, a total stranger invading her bath was plenty of reason to make an exception.  “G-guard!  Help me!”  She called out in a panicked voice.

 

“Sweetheart, he can’t hear you,” said the mysterious woman, waving her hand over the door.  “Sound’s not going through that door no matter how loud you scream.  Besides, you don’t need to be afraid of me.”  She said with a slight grin.

 

Maria’s relaxing bath had just turned to panic.  Her face had a shot of blush to it, as somebody was seeing her naked form.  Despite her little scream, the door was not kicked down, and no heroic knight was charging in to save her.  “W-who are you?”  Maria said, finding her voice.

 

“Oh, sweet little Maria, don’t you recognize me?”  said the other woman, looking a little offended.  “I suppose it’s been over fifteen years since I visited here.  You were just a child then.”  She pinched her fingers together while looking at her wrist.  “I’m Alica, I’m Alzuus’ sister.”

 

“Alzuus’ sister?”  Maria looked confused.  “Does… does that mean you’re a witch?”  She said, with growing worry.

 

Alica bit her lip and tilted her head left and right.  “I don’t like the term witch, it kind of makes people think I’m up to no good when in truth, I’m just as well intentioned as my brother.  But, if you want to be technical, I suppose I could be called a witch. The only real selfish thing I’ve done is kept myself looking younger.”

 

Maria pressed her legs together under the water, and covered herself as tightly as she could.  She could vaguely remember the name Alica, but it was so long ago.  She wasn’t completely sure who Alica was, but she would have preferred to have her clothes on while talking.  “Well um… I’d be happy to meet you, if you don’t mind waiting for me to properly get dressed…”

 

Alica giggled.  “Oh no no no, you don’t need to end your little bath because of me.”  She took a seat on a nearby stool.  “I must say, your more mature form certainly is something to fight over, though.”

 

At this, Maria blushed, and quietly scooted over in the bath closer to where her clothes were.  Compliments on her body were not something she had heard often, and yet she could still feel her heart race at just how vulnerable she felt.  

 

“W-why are you here?  What brings you to my bath?”  Maria said, with a shaking voice.

 

The witch smirked.  “Well, I had heard from my brother that someone else in this kingdom was practicing magic.  He wasn’t sure who though.  I was always better at tracking other magic users than he was, so he asked me a little favor.”  

 

Maria’s eyes widened.  She had never built up the courage to tell that old wizard, nor her father, that she was practicing magic.  That was still her secret, and she knew they would both be furious with her if they found out she had stolen a book from Alzuus’ library.

 

“I must admit, I didn’t think it would be you though.”  Alica giggled, looking at her wrist as she scratched the palm of her hand with her middle finger.

 

“P-please, do not tell them!  I only mean to help the kingdom, but my father barely lets me out of the castle for a walk!”  Maria pleaded.

 

Alica stood up and walked closer to Maria, looking into her bath water, eyeing up her naked form.  The witch licked her lips, as Maria fidgeted nervously, still in shock from her private bath being interrupted.

 

“Hmm… interesting, ver-y interesting.”  Alica said.  She smiled at Maria, and scooped a hand into the water, bringing it closer to her face.  “Hmm… were you using magic to prepare your bath?  Doesn’t seem that helpful to the kingdom.”

 

“It’s… a purification spell!”  Maria said.  “This water is completely clean and can heal people!”

 

“Oh, so were the knights to drink your bath water for healing?  My my, you’re a naughty little princess, aren’t you?”  Alica grinned with a snicker.  “Well, I suppose if a princess as beautiful as you offered your bath water as a drink to the soldiers, that would greatly raise troop morale!”

 

Maria blushed furiously.  What kind of accusation was that?  She would never do such a thing, ever!  “W-what?  N-no!  I’m not some sort of… I… I wouldn’t even think to…”

 

“Oh relax, I’m just playing with you.  I’ve used magic to make a bath nice myself.”  Alica giggled, looking at the water more closely.  “In truth, this is quality work.  You should be proud of yourself for this.  This water could bring a soldier back from the edge of death.”

 

“Th-thank… you….?”  Maria said in a sheepish voice.  

 

“However, you left it so cold!  You must be freezing in there!  No wonder you have a slight stutter, your teeth are chattering, aren’t they?”  Alica giggled.  “There’s a simple spell to make water warmer, don’t you know it?”

 

Maria couldn’t make eye contact with the witch, with very little in ways to hide her nudity.  “I… only know a few spells…”  She admitted.

 

“Oh you poor thing, here.”  Alica took a step back and waved her hand in a small pattern, and pointed her hand at the water.

 

A red glow appeared at the center of the bath, quickly catching Maria’s attention.  Soon after, the water began to warm up, becoming more like a hot spring.  In a few seconds, Maria’s cold bath became a hot tub, even having a little bubbles.

 

“Ooooh…”  Maria shuddered, her body quickly welcoming the new warmth of her bath, feeling the heat creep up her backside slowly.  It almost caused a shiver from being so sudden.  Her troubles hadn’t completely ebbed away, she was still completely and obviously naked in front of a relative stranger, but she couldn’t deny that she now had the bath she wished she had.

 

“There you go, much better now, isn’t it?”  Alica said with a smirk.

 

“Mmhmm,” Maria weakly hummed her approval.  

 

“Well then, I’m glad, Princess.  And I’ll tell you what, I’m not going to tell King Marcus, nor will I tell Alzuus you’ve been practicing magic.”  She smirked.  “On one condition, however.”

 

Maria looked up nervously.  “A-and what would that be?”

 

“You need a teacher.  I think you could really be quite talented with your magic, but if you really want to help your kingdom, you’re going to need more than healing water.”  Alica said.  “I could help you reach your full potential.”  She said with a wink.

 

“You could teach me more magic?”  Maria asked.  Clearly Alica knew more about magic than she did, perhaps she could use some help learning how to handle different spells.  Perhaps a teacher could be of help.  Still, she wanted to get to know her would-be teacher better.  “I’d like to talk about this more… would you mind waiting for me to get dressed?”

 

Alica giggled.  “I’ll be happy to talk things out more, and help you learn.  But first, a little challenge.  To test your resourcefulness with what magic you already know.”

 

“A challenge?”  Maria repeated.

 

“Yes, and it’s easy.  You simply have to find me, but you can’t have help from anyone!”  Alica added in a taunting voice.  

 

Maria blinked.  “I just have to find you?  That doesn’t sound too hard.”

 

“Yep!  But absolutely no help from anyone.  Just your own wits and magic..”

 

“I only know three different spells right now,” Maria admitted shamefully.

 

“Then be resourceful with your magic.  You’re free to finish your bath, and then you may begin your search.  You have until sundown to find me.  I’ll stay on the castle grounds.”  Alica stated.

 

Maria gave a light smile despite still blushing intensely.  She really did want to take her time and enjoy this bath that had been warmed up so nicely.  It was still early in the day, so she could enjoy a really nice soak.  “Alright, after I’m done, I’ll begin looking for you.”

 

Alica grinned.  “Good, good.  One more thing,” she said, walking towards Maria’s clothes.

 

“What’s that?”  Maria asked, feeling curious.

 

“Remember, no help from anyone!”  Alica winked, picking up the neatly folded pile of clothes, before she began to shapeshift back into a bird.  It took flight and headed for the window.

 

“H-hey!  Wait, I need those!  Alicaaaa!”  The naked girl reached towards the bird, but it was far too quick for the nude princess.  Alica darted out the window, leaving the princess with absolutely nothing to her name. 

 

Now alone in her nice warm bath, Maria was left without any proper form of cover.  There were no bath towels, and her clothes had been taken.  Suddenly she felt more vulnerable than she did before.  Maria wanted to relax in her bath, and now she couldn’t, not while isolated from anything that could hide her figure.

 

She kept her arms wrapped around her breasts, looking disappointed at the steam coming off of her bath water.  There was no choice, she was going to have to get out.  If she didn’t find Alica soon, then worse things were going to happen than simply being seen naked.

 

“Okay… okay,” Maria said to herself, as the now wet, naked beauty climbed out of the water.  “I just have to think this through… I’ll tell that guard to get me a dress, and I’ll begin my search.”  Warm droplets of water slid down her figure, and she could feel each drop descending down her smooth skin.  

 

She took a deep breath and took a few steps towards the door, but then paused.  Would asking that guard to fetch her some clothes count as getting help?  That would mean Alica might just tell on her right away.  There was simply no accepting that risk.

 

No, Maria had to do this on her own.  She had no way of knowing where Alica might be hiding, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t find a way to get dressed first.  Her room seemed like an obvious choice, but it was very far away.  There was a little hut in the courtyard where the maidens did laundry.  That made more sense to go for, it was closer.

 

Maria blushed, knowing what she had to do.  To get around the guard, she had use one of her spells.  The invisibility spell seemed best suited for the job.  It was problematic before, when she first used it, it made her clothes feel heavier over time, eventually forcing her to take them off.

 

At least now, she wouldn’t have that problem, but that was because she was already nude from head to toe.  Maria could only assume the spell would be easier to maintain for a longer time as a result.  So, she clenched her fists to her chest, took a deep breath, and began to channel her energy to become invisible.

 

The naked girl exhaled, thinking the spell was in effect.  To make sure, she took a few steps back towards her steamy bath.  The hot water called out to her to come back and enjoy it, and she hated the fact that she couldn’t.  Maria glanced over to the water, seeing no reflection.  Her magic was in effect.

 

Every moment she hesitated was time lost that she could prevent her magic practice from being discovered.  So, she faced the door, and prepared herself to run through the castle to go back out to the courtyard.

 

Naked.

 

Maria wasn’t sure what would be worse.  Being caught naked outside of the castle, or being caught using magic.  Both would ultimately be catastrophic.  She couldn’t even begin to imagine how her father would react.

 

She took one last disappointed look at her bath, still crystal clear, still giving the room a steamy atmosphere.  Letting the perfect bath go to waste was a shame, but Maria knew she had to move.  With a deep breath, she turned and faced the door, and pushed it open.

 

Slowly, the invisible naked girl poked her head out through the doorway, holding the door closely to her body to cover as much as she could.  Even though she was invisible, she still felt naked and very vulnerable, as if anyone could see her at any moment.  However, there was nobody outside of the door.  Not even the guard that was supposed to be there.

 

“Odd… where did that guard go?”  Maria wondered.  She shrugged.  If the coast was clear, she could take advantage of this.  So she pushed the door open wider.

 

Or, at least she tried too.  When Maria gave the door a push, it quickly stopped, as if something big and heavy was in the way.  Maria pushed, but it simply wouldn’t open any wider.  

 

“What the…?”  Maria thought to push again, when suddenly the door opened the rest of the way quickly.  The naked girl took a step back in confusion.  Did Alica put some other curse on the door?

 

Then the water of Maria’s bath started splashing around.  Maria’s eyes widened.  Was that a ghost!?  She was NOT staying around for that!  She bolted out the door of her bathing chamber and headed down the hallway.  The naked girl ran as quickly as her bare feet could carry her, not really focusing on any particular direction, just more to get away from the bathing chamber.  

 

On impulse she wrapped her arms around her breast.  Invisibility did nothing to hide her nudity from herself.  She could feel the cool air gliding over her still wet body, reminding her that she needed to find some clothing fast.  Getting caught would be a problem, no matter her state of dress, but it would be at its worst if her whole body was bared.

 

Maria turned a corner into a hallway that looked a little darker, and stopped to rest against a wall.  Her heart was racing despite her run being so short.  She knew why she felt more tired than she should have been though.  Her magic was physically exhausting if used for a long time.

 

She took a deep breath, and dropped the invisibility spell.  Conserving her magic was more important, she would need it later.  As she leaned against the wall, she heard boots clanking against the stone floor.

 

“Capn’!  Capn’!!!  The Princess has gone missing!”  shouted the guard in the distance.  “Something pushed on the door and I looked inside, she was gone!”

 

Maria’s had a quizzical look on her face.  She could have sworn that there was no guard there when she stepped out earlier.  There was what she believed to be a ghost splashing the water around, but there wasn’t any guard.  But before she continued to run, something occurred to her.  Her invisibility spell may have stopped her from seeing other people too!

 

That had to be it, Maria just needed to be sure.  Her heart was racing, but the need to know exactly how her magic worked was going to be essential.  She took a deep breath and peeked her head around the corner to see the knight talking to the captain.  

 

The knight seemed upset, as if he had done a poor job protecting her.  Something would have to be done to clear his name later, as it wasn’t his fault.  For now, there was little Maria could do for him.  Instead, with the knights in plain sight, she channeled the energy to start her invisibility spell again.   She closed her eyes and focused, feeling the magic begin its work.  When she opened her eyes, sure enough, those two knights were gone.

 

“Ah ha,” Maria nodded in realization.  She smiled, having figured out something critical about her magic.  Now she knew she would need a proper hiding spot in order to drop invisibility.  Knowing this, Maria glanced around at where she was, and began to move.  She had to get to the courtyard.

 

Maria ran down the hallway as quickly as she could, feeling very aware of the sound made when her bare feet slapped the ground.  Her nudity only made her run more urgent.  The hallway she was currently in was dimly lit by a few torches, but she was still able to see.  She ran through several hallways, when she suddenly ran into something hard and cold.

 

“Ooof!”  Maria grunted, with her face pressed against a smooth, metal object.  She opened her eyes, and saw she was holding on to nothing.  This could only mean that she had ran into a knight.  A knight that was slowly coming into view, as was a very faint reflection of a naked girl.

 

Maria’s eyes widened as she soon realized her invisibility spell was faltering!  Why now!?  She wasn’t feeling tired.  She pushed away from the shining transparent breastplate on unsteady footing, and tumbled behind a nearby barrel.  

 

Maria took a breath, and dropped the invisibility spell.  Her heart was still racing, hoping she wasn’t about to be found.  She needed a moment to regain her focus so she could become invisible again.  

 

“Who goes there?”  Came a firm voice.  It was the knight she had ran into!  “Show yourself!”  He said, taking a few steps forward.   “It’s only a matter of time before I find you!”

 

All Maria could do was shiver.  What if this knight found her?  If word that she was missing got around, then the entire royal guard would be searching for her.  They weren’t going to mistake her identity.  She shook her head.  She could still get away.

 

Maria tried to focus on becoming invisible again, staying on her hands and knees behind a few barrels.  She closed her eyes and tried to channel her magic, but nothing came from it.  “No no no, please, I need to disappear…” Maria pleaded.  She could still see her face in the back of the armor of the searching knight.  The door to the courtyard was near, but there was no way she was going to sneak past him with all those torches.  

 

If she couldn’t become invisible, she needed a way to put those torches out.  When the hallway became dark, she’d be able to sneak by a confused knight and slip outside.  Maria looked up at the nearest torch, and then at the knight.  She slowly stood up, keeping an eye on the knight, planning on trying to wave at the fire to put it out like one of the candles she would use.  Her hand immediately discovered heat.

 

“Ah!”  She silently gasped, ducking back down behind the supply barrels.  That wasn’t going to work.  It wasn’t like the fire she could make through magic, this fire produced heat.  There was no easy way for Maria to put out the torches.

 

“Use my spells creatively,” Maria whispered to herself, paraphrasing Alica.  “What a joke… invisibility feels weak, there’s no water to purify, fire without heat is useless.”  She then paused in realization.  “Fire without heat…”  The naked girl thought this over, getting an idea that just might work.

 

Again, she glanced at the knight, and slowly stood up.  The knight still seemed to be patrolling away from her.  This was her chance.  She tried to channel some magic in her hand, always finding her fire spell to be the easiest to cast, and aimed at the torch. 

 

With a brief flash, the fire turned white, and it’s warmth disappeared.  Maria glanced back at the knight, and slowly moved her hands toward the flame.  There was no heat, making it safe to touch.  She placed her hands over it, and gripped the source of the fire at the end of the torch, snuffing it out, and enveloping Maria in darkness.

 

Maria’s heart was racing as she took her hand off.  A confused “Hmm” came from a confused knight, and she ducked back down beneath the barrels.  Her face was still bright red because of her nudity, and the sound of clanking boots on stone prompter her to crawl forward to the next torch.  

 

With the knight preoccupied, Maria stood up and repeated the process with the next torch.  It went from a bright orange, hot flame, to a white, room temperature flame, easily snuffed with a bare hand.   The hallway grew darker, and the knight grew increasingly confused.

 

“What’s going on here…”  He said suspiciously, grabbing the last torch that was still lit, and took a few steps back towards the torch by the barrels.  “I’m gonna find you!”

 

With his back turned again, Maria got up and quickly ran for the door that exited the castle.  She pulled it open slowly, letting daylight in.

 

“What the-?”  Came the confused voice.

 

Maria slipped outside with a bright blush on her face.  She was outside now, in the courtyard, completely naked, with a suspicious knight behind the door.  The naked girl had to run.  She frantically looked around, seeing knights and squires practicing.  The princess was in plain sight!  The little building where her clothes were usually cleaned was too far away for a sprint, so she instead made a run for the stables.  

 

All the while, the bright sunlight lit up her figure.  Her face was crimson, while her body seemed almost pale by comparison.  Just feeling the smooth, warm dirt as opposed to the hard, cold stone of the castle was a major change in texture making Maria feel very aware of her nudity.  

 

Maria ran as quickly as she could into the stable, seeing it currently unoccupied, save for one horse.  She double backed to see a knight bursting through the door, looking around.  With no time to waste, Maria hid in a stall, next to the one currently occupied, and hid in a pile of itchy hey.

 

This was far from comfortable, Maria was taking care to cover her lower intimates with her hands as she hoped for the best out of her flimsy cover.  The itching was driving her mad, but the hiding place was relatively secluded.

 

“Aye, did anyone see anything come out of this ‘ere door?”  Shouted the knight.  “All me torches went out!”

 

“I didn’t see notin’,” came the reply.  “Aren’t you the one always licking at the ale barrels?”  Came a snicker.

 

“This ain’t the time!  I think a ghost is running ‘round!”  Said the knight.

 

“Lay off the ale!”

 

Maria held perfectly still, though really she was so nervous about being discovered she thought she was going to crumble to pieces.  She had barely escaped that knight with her secrecy in tact, and she wasn’t sure if she was going to be calm enough to cast more spells.  Eventually, she heard the knights tell one another off about drinking habits, and she heard the castle door open and close.  

 

Still within the stable, Maria sighed with relief, laying back in the hey.  It was far from comfortable, but it would be good enough to help her catch her breath.  

 

She took a moment to think about what she was doing.  Maria was outside of the castle, completely naked, making an effort to find her clothes, and then needing to find Alicia.  She had no idea where to even begin looking for her future mentor.  For right now, she was just focused on avoiding being seen while she searched for wearable clothing.

 

After a few minutes, Maria caught her breath and stood up, brushing some hay off bare skin.  Technically it could be used for cover, but it was far from desirable.  Maria then peeked her head outside of the stable, seeing the area where maidens did laundry.

 

Standing between her was a few knights and squires, in the middle of training and practice routines.  Somehow, she had to get by them.  This seemed like a job for the invisibility spell, though she wasn’t sure how long she could maintain it.  Conserving her stamina was important.

 

“Rff!”

 

“Eep!”  Maria recoiled back at the sudden sound.  “What was that?”  She frantically looked around and saw a horse.  It shook its head, and appeared to sneeze.  It was a black stallion, but it looked rather old.  The horse bowed its head and began to eat some hay.  

 

“Ohh,” Maria sighed with relief putting a hand over her chest.  She could feel her heart thumping away.  “You startled me,” she said quietly, looking behind her and then approaching the horse.  The princess gently ran a hand along the back of its mane, looking over it’s aged body.  “It seems you’ve served the kingdom a long time, I wish I could repay you.”  She smiled.

 

She glanced up at the top of the horse’s stall and saw a plaque bearing the name “Hurricane.”  Maria looked at the name, feeling a little perplexed.  “I think I’ve heard that name before… were you the horse nobody could handle for being…crazy?”

 

For a response, the horse brought it’s head up at the naked princess, stared for a moment, and then went back to eating it’s hay.  

 

“I suppose vigor leaves us all…”  Maria glanced at the small water trough in the horse’s pen, seeing it look a little cloudy and dirty.  “Such a famous horse and you’re treated like this?”  She shook her head.  Then an idea struck her.  Could water purified by her magic renew this old horse?  It was known to have a wild temperament, and if it was let loose, it could give her the distraction she needed!

 

It would be less taxing on her stamina to try, Maria reasoned with herself.  So, she looked at the water the horse had, took a deep breath and began to focus her energy to purify the water.  In a brief flash, the water sparkled at turned completely clear.  

 

“There you go, Hurricane.  A drink worthy of you.”  Maria said, gesturing the head of the horse towards the water.  

 

Hurricane looked at the water and began lapping at it without a thought.  As the horse drank up, Maria looked back outside the stable to make sure she wasn’t being watched, and then began to unlock the gate of the stable and untie the horse.

 

“If you’re feeling energetic, maybe you should go stir up those knights,” Maria said with a blush on her face, feeling a rope fall on top of her bare feet.  She watched as Hurricane lapped up the water slowly at first, and then began to drink faster and faster.  The horses aged body began to look more firm, and Hurricane’s docile face started to look fierce.

 

“Just one more rope,” Maria said, working with a knot, unsure of how to untie it.  “You’re almost fre-”

 

“HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIHIHI!!!!”  Hurricane shook his head, and bolted forward out of the stall, tearing a plank of wood that the rope was tied to.  It dragged Maria with it, sending her tumbling into some soft hay before she let go.  The impact didn’t harm Maria much, but she was taken by surprise.  

 

“Ah!”  Maria wasn’t sure what to do, so she just covered her head and braced herself.  There was an aggressively galloping, but it soon disappeared.  She looked up and saw Hurricane was missing.  “W-what the, where is….?”

 

“Aye!  Hurricane’s gotten loose!”  said a knight.

 

Maria crept up to the end of the stable and looked out, seeing the rejuvenated horse furiously running around the courtyard.  One squire was dumb enough to grab onto the remaining rope that was secured to the horse, resulting in him being dragged around as other knights gave chase.

 

“Goodness, such a commotion!”  Maria said, feeling bad for causing such trouble.  However, she looked towards the little hut were laundry was done, and then towards all the knights chasing Hurricane.  She created the distraction she needed.  This was her chance.

 

Her heart was already racing from having nearly been trampled.  On shaky legs, Maria covered her nude body as best she could, and slowly stepped out of the stable.  When the horse had led the knights far away enough, she began to run towards the little laundry hut.

 

The wind whipped over her naked body.  She wanted to be thankful her plan succeeded, but there was little time for that.  Maria quickened her running pace, and reached the hut, unnoticed thanks to the distraction caused by the horse.  

 

When Maria arrived at the little laundry hut, she quickly ducked behind a box to hide.  She took a moment to breath, hoping she hadn’t been noticed.  A few footsteps got close, causing Maria to cringe, but then they passed.

 

“What’s going on out there?”  Said a familiar voice.  It was Maria’s main assistant, Iza.   “Oh my, that horse hasn’t ran that hard in years!”  

 

Maria gripped her form tightly, still very naked.  She wondered if she should reveal herself to Iza.  She was the only one who knew Maria was practicing magic.  If Iza could just let her grab a dress to put on, she could search for Alica.

 

No, Maria couldn’t do it.  Even though Iza had seen her naked before, she hadn’t seen her naked outside.  That was an entirely different situation.  On top of that, Maria remembered the rules Alica laid out for her, that she wasn’t supposed to get help from anyone.

 

So instead she waited, watching Iza watch the commotion that Hurricane was making.  Maria couldn’t wait forever.  That horse would eventually become tired, and worse, less interesting to watch, leaving her trapped.

 

Maria glanced at a laundry basket of what appeared to be finished clothing.  She held her breath and looked toward Iza.  If her invisibility spell worked for only a short time, it would be long enough for her to find clothing.  So she closed her eyes and focused her energy.

 

A few seconds later, Maria opened her eyes, and saw no sign of Iza.  That mean either she left, or the spell was working.  Either way, Maria took her chances and ran towards the basket of finished clothing.  

 

She sorted through the clothing at the top of the basket, not seeing any dresses that belong to her.  The clothing didn’t seem suitable for anyone of the female form.  This particular basket appeared to mostly have shirts, and extremely large ones at that.  She found a grey shirt, seemingly designed a knight that would be almost too tall to enter the hut it was washed in.

 

The fabric also seemed to be a lot heavier.  However, Maria remembered that when she used her invisibility spell, everything seemed to be heavier.  Her spell made any clothing invisibile with her, but doing so was more taxing on her stamina.  

 

“It’ll have to do,” Maria whispered to herself.  She took the shirt and ducked behind a table.  Then she looked towards where Iza was standing, took a deep breath, and dropped her invisibility spell.  The fabric returned to its normal weight, and Maria felt a slight ease of tension.  She glanced back up and saw Iza appeared to be missing.  For now, she was alone in the laundry hut.

 

Not wasting any more time, Maria stood up, and slipped the large shirt over her head.  The rough fabric tickled her smooth skin in unusual ways, and itched the whole way down her body.  Her head slipped through the neck hole easily, as did the rest of her body.  Maria blinked twice and looked down, seeing the shirt pooled at her ankles.

 

“Ah!”  She covered herself.  “What… how?”  She looked and saw the neck hole was so big, the shirt wasn’t able to settle on her shoulders.  It wasn’t going to easily stay on.  Maria quickly knelt down and pulled the shirt back up, making sure her arms went through their intended holes.

 

Maria looked ridiculous.  The shirt was absolutely massive, nearly reaching Maria’s ankles.  It was incredibly baggy and loose.  She attempted to try and pull it forward to create a tightness over her shoulders, but this resulted in a long “V” shape, the bottom of which was below that of her chest, threatening to expose her breasts.

 

“…Maybe I shouldn’t pilfer from the biggest knight in the kingdom…”  Maria said, about to pull the shirt off her body.

 

“You shouldn’t pilfer at all!”  Came a sharp voice.  

 

Maria turned and saw Iza standing there, looking very angry.  Her eyes widened.  “I-Iza!”

 

“I have seen maidens try out a princesses dress before when my back was turned, but never have I seen someone take from a knight!”  said Iza stepping closer, with narrow eyebrows.  “Look at this thing, this wouldn’t even pass for nightwear!  Who are you?”

 

“Who am I…?”  Maria looked confused.  Was Iza not recognizing her?  “Iza, I’m not some common thief!  It’s me, Princess Maria!”

 

Iza looked closely at Maria, and then her furious expression softened.  “Maria?  Goodness, I didn’t recognize you dressed like that!  The captain is preparing a massive search party to find you.  We thought you were kidnapped during your bath.  What’s happening, are you alright?”

 

“I’m fine, I’m fine, just um…”  Maria had to choose her words carefully.  “I’m being… tested.  I can’t accept help from anyone.”

 

“Tested?”  Iza asked.  “By who?”

 

“Alica, she said she would teach me how to use magic better if I found her, but I must do it all on my own.”  Maria said, adjusting the shirt she found so she would be better covered.  This shirt was quite itchy.

 

“You haven’t read your book more?”  Iza raised an eyebrow.

 

“There’s only so much I could gain from it, I need a proper teacher!”  Maria stated, hoping Iza wasn’t going to question her much longer.  She really wanted to just keep going.

 

Iza looked at her, appearing unsure.  Then she shrugged.  “Very well.  If I’m not allowed to help you, then I won’t.  I have work to do, so if you could leave me to it.”

 

“Yes, yes, of course,” Maria said with a nod, holding onto the oversized shirt, feeling it slip over one of her shoulders.  She fixed it as she walked out of the hut and back into the sunlight.  For now Maria was covered, she had to hope it would hold while she searched for Alica.

 

“Okay… okay, if I were a witch testing a potential student… where would I hide?”  Maria said to herself, walking cautiously.  Every step she took caused the shirt to move slightly, brushing over her skin, and reminding her of how poorly she was dressed.  If the neck hole was big enough for her to entirely slip through, then it wasn’t sturdy cover.

 

She heard some knights approaching, so she quickly hid behind a nearby weapon rack, holding various swords and spears.  In truth, since she was covered, there wasn’t much need to hide, but it felt better to have less attention regardless.  Maria ducked as low as she could while still being able to look out, and saw two nights leading Hurricane back to the stable.

 

“Aye, didn’t know you still had that spark in ya, Hurricane.”  said the knight leading the horse.  Hurricane looked to be back to his old tired self.  The water it drank must have worn off, but the horse had served its purpose.

 

“I haven’t seen ol’ Hurricane run like that in years,” said the second knight.  “Maybe the capn’ is right about that lil’ bird.”

 

“What’s a bird going to do?  A bird’s no witch.”  said the first knight.

 

Maria leaned in and listened more closely.  That bird was likely Alica!  “Tell me where the bird is,” Maria whispered.  Hopefully this didn’t count as help if she didn’t ask for it.

 

Unfortunately, the conversation trailed off about superstition over witches, which wasn’t helping Maria.  She sighed and stood up, and glanced around.  If Alica was in her bird form, then Maria would have to keep an eye out for a little black bird.  

 

She took a step forward and kept her glance upwards, hanging onto the shirt she had taken.  Maria looked very nervous, trying to keep her shirt covering her as much as it could.  Her heart was racing as a few maidens looked in her direction.

 

“Aye, check out the peasant.”

 

“By Alzuses beard!  She looks like a dream!”  

 

“Aye, she looks young, probably hasn’t let a man plow her field yet.”

 

There was a collective giggle among the maidens.

 

Maria’s face burned with blush at the comments they made.  Obviously, they hadn’t recognized her as their princess.  Normally, nobody would dare to talk that way around her.  She pushed on, trying to focus on finding a bird, when her leg caught onto something.  The princess tripped, falling face first onto the ground.

 

The fall was sudden, catching Maria off guard.  Although she was a little more dirty again, the more alarming feeling was the feeling of the wind blowing over her exposed bottom.  The shirt had slid up, allowing the maidens to see her secret.

 

“Ah ha ha, can’t afford any undergarments!”

 

“What a lovely view!”

 

“Too nice for a peasant to have!”

 

Maria reached behind her and suddenly grabbed the back of her shirt and forced it back down to cover herself.  It was the fastest her hand had ever moved in her life, and likely the reddest her blush had ever been.  “S-stop looking!”

 

One of the maidens whispered something to her companions, and approached Maria.  “Fair lady, if you are lost or seeking food, you’ve come to the right kingdom, allow me to show you where to get a fine meal, our King Marcus is a generous one!”  She knelt down and offered a hand.

 

This was unusual, Maria blinked, unsure if accepting help would break Alica’s rules.  It wasn’t helping Maria find her, it would probably be okay.  “Thank you, I hope you show better manners than from befo-”

 

“Oops!”  The maiden suddenly moved forward, her hand reaching to the neckline of Maria’s shirt and pushing down, creating a sharp “V” shape, and allowing her breasts to pop out.

 

“Ahh!”  Maria recoiled backward, having been partially exposed.  The maiden’s hold on her shirt was still tight though, so the loose clothing did not move back with her.  For a moment there was darkness, and more laughing.

 

“Aye, Think she’d like a bit of the knights ale?  That might make her a bit more fun!”

 

Maria was panicking, unsure of what these maidens were thinking.  Should she scream for help?  No, that might outright break Alica’s rules, but what if she didn’t?  Then she remembered, her magic!

 

The princess crawled backward out of the shirt, stripping herself completely naked, but then she stood up, and looked at the head maiden fiercely.  Well, as fierce as she could with a bright red blush on her face.  “Alright.  Give me a mug.”

 

The three maidens looked at each other, unable to believe what they were seeing.  There was a naked girl in front of them, who had just stripped herself, and that they had just teased, and then she agreed to have a drink with them.  Was this real?  Various knights approached, curious at the sight of the naked girl, being a true beauty to behold.

 

“Hurricane kicked me in the head, is this real?”

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“She’s naked and about to drink some ale, that’s all I know!”

 

The first maiden shrugged, and reached for a mug, and dipped into the barrel full of ale.  “Alright, we’ll be happy to see ya if you’re willing to stay, just drink it slowly.”  She said with a smirk, as she handed Maria the mug.

 

“Oh I’m sure it’ll take more than one to make any of you seem friendly.”  Maria said back, smirking through her blush.  She took the mug and looked at the liquid, her weakly determined look turned to one of disgust as she looked at the ale.  

 

“I hope this works,” Maria said, trying to channel a little energy.  Her free hand reached into the mug to give the drink a stir.  Nobody saw the spark of light leave her finger into the ale.  Soon it turned into clear water.

 

Maria smiled and held the mug to the maidens.  The crowd of knights and squires was growing, she could only pray they weren’t going to recognize her.  “Cheers!”  She tipped the mug into her mouth and began to drink, the cool ale, now turned into water, flowing into her.  In a few seconds, Maria could begin to physically feel energy returning to her, feeling more awake and revitalized.

 

When she finished, she smiled and dropped the mug.  “Ahh, good stuff.”  Then Maria suddenly reached down and grabbed the shirt, picked it up and threw it at the face of the first maiden.

 

“Ah, what the-?”

 

“Yaaa!”  Maria faced an open palm at the shirt on the knights face, putting a white fire on the shirt.

 

“Fire!  There’s a fire!”  Said the one of the knights.

 

“Get the water!”

 

“Ahh!  Ahh!!!  Ahh… actually it’s not that ho-splffff”  The maiden had a bucket of water thrown in her face.

 

With the maidens, knights and squires scrambling, Maria quickly turned her magic towards being invisible, and focused on it as quickly as she could.  In seconds, the crowd had vanished.  Maria’s heart was racing as she began to run out of the center of the courtyard as quickly as she could.  She was without cover, but if those maidens lost track of her, things would be better for sure.

 

Once she was out of the main training area, Maria found a tree in a relatively secluded spot, and hid behind it before dropping her invisibility spell.  Everyone down there had seen her naked.  She shivered and covered herself, wondering if the knights would have been more helpful.  And yet there was a strange sensation going through her body.  At her breasts, her nipples seemed to be hardened, and there was a strange warmth between her legs.  Maria covered herself as best she could, trying not to think about it.

 

“Ha ha ha, you clever little girl!”

 

Maria about jumped out of her skin.  “Ah!  W-who is…”  She turned around and saw Alica.  “A-alica!  Was this where you were hiding?”

 

“Oh sweet little Maria,” Alica approached her, running a hand over her blushing cheek.  “I never had any single hiding place.  Really I wanted to test how well you could use your magic resourcefully.  So I followed you and watched everything you did.  I had to make sure you didn’t get any proper help, and that you didn’t get in any serious trouble.”  

 

“Trouble?”  Maria asked.

 

“Yes, it seemed like your reputation could have crumbled if anyone down there recognized you.  At least only those maidens seemed to have dirty thoughts about you.  Those knights are such gentlemen, aren’t they?”  Alica said, scratching the palm of her hand with her middle finger.  “I think you did more than well enough to be worthy of my teaching.”  

 

“Really?”  Maria smiled, despite her embarrassment.  “Thank you!  But um… first I should really get back inside and get dressed!”

 

“Oh no need to worry,” Alica said.  “You should really wash up first, here hold my hand.”  Alica said, offering her hand to Maria.

 

Maria hesitated, and looked back towards where she ran from.  

 

“Where did the witch run!?”  shouted a knight.

 

“I suppose I won’t find much good will out here.”  Maria admitted, taking Alica’s hand..

 

Upon contact with Alica’s hand, Maria felt a strange rush, as if feathers were suddenly rushing all over her body, tickling her naked skin.  She tried to open her eyes, but there was a blinding amount of feathers and a howling wind blowing them all about.  Maria could have sworn the tips of some of them were gliding over her more intimate areas more than others.

 

The strange feathery rush faded, and Maria felt a warmth all over her body again.  She opened her eyes and saw she was back in her bath, with Alica looking at her with a big smirk.

 

“What… what happened?”  Maria asked, bringing her arms back up to cover her breasts.

 

“You’re back in your bath!”  Alica said.  “You’re free to wash up now, I’ll leave your clothes here.  Don’t worry for a second about anyone down there recognizing you.  I’ll take care of that, there are more kinds of water spells than just revitalization.”

 

Maria looked over to her neatly folded pile of clothes, then at Alica.  She smiled, “Thank you, Alica.  I just know you have a lot of things to teach me.”

 

“That I do.  Now enjoy your bath!”  Alica said, shapeshifting into a bird, and flying out the window of the chamber.

 

Now Maria was alone.  She took a deep breath and laid back.  She smiled, having passed the test, and now she was free to relax and enjoy her bath.

 

Suddenly the door was kicked in.  “I told ya capn’, she was in here, and then I felt something and she was-”

 

“AHHH,” Maria shrieked, lowering herself in the water and covering her breasts.  “What are you doing!?”

 

“Milady!”  The captain and the other knight said in surprise.  “Just um… checking on you!  Your guard had lost track of you!”  He turned to the knight.  “No joking around!  If one hair on her head is out of alignment, it’ll be your head that answers for it!”

 

“Y-yes sir!”

 

The bird flew back into the room, shapeshifting them back into Alica, holding a bucket of water.  “I better start with these two!”

 

“What the, A REAL WITCH!”  Said the captain, drawing his sword.

 

“You will believe the princess never left this room and was never disturbed,” Alica whispered into the water, seeing it take on a blue glow.  She then through the water at the knight and the Captain.  The water splashed into them, leaving both of them dazed for a moment.

 

Then the captain shook his head.  “A thousand apologies my lady.”  He turned to the other knight.  “As you were!”  They both left the room.

 

Alica turned to Maria as the door was shut. Alica winked.  “Just one of many spells you can learn from me!  Try not to cause more trouble!”  Alica shapeshifted back into her bird form and flew out of the room, leaving Maria to her privacy.

 

Maria was finally alone again, though it was getting difficult for her to relax.  She could only hope Alica wouldn’t want to do anything mischievous with her own superior magic.