"Of course, your highness," the scribe replied. "They're called disguise scrolls. They'll transform the person who opens them. That particular one will transform a person into a fetching young woman. There are some that will transform people into other women, men, animals, even inanimate objects."
"Other people and animals I can see. That would be useful for hiding, spying, or escaping, but what possible use would turning someone into an object have?" Kelos asked.
"Also for spying," the scribe replied. "The person retains their senses, so they can hear and see what's happening around them. One person uses a scroll to turn into a maid, while another turns into a chalice. The maid sets the table for an important negotiation conveniently putting the chalice by the king, and it's the next best thing to the king himself being your agent."
Kelos paused to consider the scribe's words. "Yes, I could see how that would be most useful, but how can a chalice report on this?"
"These scrolls have a preset time. After which, the person will turn back to normal. Though some have another condition that must be fulfilled first as well," the scribe explained. "After all, if the chalice turned into a man in the middle of an extended negotiation, that would be troublesome to say the least."
"True," Kelos replied. He eyed the scroll in his hand. "How long do these scrolls last?"
"Most only a day or two," the scribe replied. "That particular one though, it's a bit longer. Two weeks I believe."
The prince tossed the scroll to the scribe. "I'll let you hold on to that then," he said. "Is there a way to turn someone back sooner?"
"Only by using another scroll," the scribe said. "However, these are simple spells. If someone uses another scroll, it overwrites the magic from the first one."
"Meaning?" Kelos asked.
"Let's say you opened this one," the scribe said while holding up the yellow scroll, "and it transformed you into a woman. Then you opened a second scroll for some reason. The second scroll would transform you again, but you could no longer return to your true form. When the second scroll wore off, you would remain a woman."
"Given that I'm soon to be married, I'll make sure to avoid that," Kelos replied. "Though couldn't someone use a scroll, then another scroll, then a third scroll to turn back to normal, then a fourth to lock that as their form again?"
"I suppose it's possible, but magic can stack in unpredictable ways. You may find yourself as some grotesque mixture of the various forms," the scribe warned.
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