Snow was awoken early by Dopey. Feeling something, jump on the bed beside her made her jump with a start. She opened her eyes to see the small drooling man staring at her.
Doc appeared in the room. "Sorry to bother you," he said, "but Lord Antoni is here."
"I'll get myself dressed. Tell him I'll be right down," she said. She had fled to this cabin in only the dress on her back and even that one had been worn and torn. The dwarfs, as she discovered they were, were kind enough to travel to town to get her a few sets of clothing.
She was surprised it had had taken Antoni so long to come. She had been here for a week now, settling into a small room upstairs separate from the one the men all shared. She was thankful for her privacy.
After Doc and Dopey left her room she shimmied out of her night dress and into a pair of pants and a shirt. Letting out a yawn, she made her way over to a small mirror on the wall and slowly brushed her hair. Her long dark lochs stretched down to her shoulders.
Finally, satisfied with her look she headed downstairs. Lord Antoni was reclining at a table, speaking with Grumpy and Doc when she entered the room. His attention was immediately drawn to her, a smile forming on his face. "Good morning," he said, "I thought we could have breakfast together and begin our training again."
"What's the point in training if I don't live at the castle anymore?" Snow asked.
"Eventually your step-mother is bound to realize you are still alive," he said, "and you're going to want to be able to defend yourself against her men."
Snow knew it was true. She quietly took a seat next to Antoni and began eating the gruel prepared by Happy who loved to cook.
"I know it's a lot to take in," said Antoni, "but the best thing is to keep training. I don't want you getting hurt or killed."
Snow looked at him, a smile forming on her face. This guy really gave her goosebumps. Never had a man made her feel like this before. "I understand and I think it wise to continue our training."
"Good I'm glad," he said.
Snow and Antoni ate in silence before heading out the door to continue training. They were able to do it in the open space around the cabin.
They continued working with the sticks and Antoni taught Snow many different techniques. They paused for lunch and supper but practiced throughout much of the day.
By the time the day was over, Snow collapsed into bed knowing tomorrow would follow the same routine.
Aphrodite stood beside the Queen's throne nervously as the Huntsman entered. He bowed low before the Queen, presenting her with a chest. "Here in this box is the heart of Snow White," he said, "just as you both asked."
The Queen grabbed the chest, an evil smile filling her features. She opened the top of the chest, a dead non-pulsing heart sat in the center of the chest. Aphrodite began to gag and turned away. She knew it was not a human heart but it still sickened her.
"Beautiful," the Queen said, "you are dismissed. Anything you could ever want from me is now at your disposal."
The Huntsman murmured his thanks and left in a haste. As soon as he was out the door the Queen got to her feet. "We should check with the mirror just to make sure Snow is really dead," the Queen said.
"I couldn't agree more," murmured Aphrodite. Thankfully the three gods had thought of this and they had used magic to hide her from the Queen. But Aphrodite was still nervous, what if this didn't work? What if the Queen found out of her betrayal? It could mess up the whole plan.
Aphrodite followed behind the Queen as they headed up to her chambers. Her disguise as Lady Aphima was beginning to become boring and no matter how hard she tried she always felt as if she wasn't pretty enough. Was this how all humans felt?
After a few polite hellos to passerby's they finally arrived at the Queen's room. Once inside Aphrodite slipped into her goddess form, relieved to not have to hide who she was in front of the Queen, even if she was evil.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall, show me Snow White," the Queen purred. Aphrodite held her breath, wondering if the spell had been performed right. But when the mirror showed nothing, Aphrodite felt relief.
The Queen let out a maniacal laugh, "Brilliant," she said, "I'm glad the runt is gone."
"What will you do next?" Aphrodite asked.
"Well we have an army to defeat, of course," she said.
"Do you really think we stand a chance against the army?"
"No, our army will crumble," said The Queen, "but I will kill Borias and assume the roll of leadership. He will rue the day he ever decided to break my heart."
Aphrodite gulped. Somehow she had a feeling she was supposed to be dead before this crucial moment. The Queen apparently grew ever more powerful as she drained lives.
Ares waited on top of the cliff for his siblings to arrive. Of course, as usual, he was the first to arrive. Finally, Hades appeared.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said, "lots of souls to judge."
"Understandable," he said, "I'm sure Aphrodite will arrive fashionably late like she always does."
And almost as if on cue the goddess of love appeared, wearing an interesting pink ensemble. "Sorry, the Queen had to double check that Snow was dead and she took her sweet precious time with it."
"So the spell worked?" Hades asked.
"Perfectly," Aphrodite said.
"Good," said Ares, "Snow is learning to fight quickly. She shows great potential."
"Good," said Hades, "and Aphrodite what do you have to report?"
Aphrodite told them of the Queen's plan to kill Borias and take over his army.
"Hm," said Ares, "we need to make sure Snow aligns with him before they reach the palace."
"Where is the fighting now?" asked Aphrodite.
"They will likely reach the castle in a month," said Hades.
Ares felt panic rising in him. He had been so focused on training Snow he hadn't even thought to check the progress of his army. They were close and he had little time.
"You look troubled, brother, do you think she can be trained that quickly?" Aphrodite asked.
"I can only hope," Ares said, "Hades you might want to bring her father's ghost not long after we begin blade work."
Hades nodded understanding. The three left, dread filling Ares. He needed to pay a visit to Borias. His champion needed to know about what was at stake.
