by Sarah Noffke
“I didn’t know that before. I’ve never been here. However, now that I’m here, I know what this place is. I recognize the other mountains in relation to this one. And—”
“Oh, more mysterious gnome navigation magic.” Monet cut him off, shaking his head at him.
“So that’s the cave where the Book of Branches is buried?” Ever asked, pointing at the cave mouth only a switchback up from them. It wouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes to get there. The cave was located only about halfway up the mountain, but traveling here from the Mountain of Truth would have taken another day, if not two. Mage Lenore had saved them quite an effort by teleporting them here.
“I guess so. It’s the only cave entrance I see.” Azure scanned the rest of the mountain. The top was a rocky table; it was missing its peak. Below them there were a few flat spots covered by large boulders that could be cave entrances. However, it made the most sense that the kind-of-helpful Mage Lenore had relocated them to a spot with the cave entrance just ahead.
“Okay, well, let’s start this party.” Monet took off up the path that led to the cave.
“Hold up,” Gillian requested, finding a seat on a nearby rock.
Monet turned and looked at the gnome. “Hey, break time was back there at the wacky shack. Now it’s go time.”
“And Queen Azure is going to go, but the three of us are going to hang back,” Gillian said to the young wizard.
“I agree that strolling into a dark cave is really scary, but if you want me to hold your hand then I’ll totally do it, little guy,” Monet said, his tone mocking.
Gillian shook his head. “Remember, Queen Azure, when I first told you about the Book of Branches?”
“Yes, you said it detailed the different tribes of the dryads and that there would be information about the rogue dryads in there,” she said, remembering the conversation they’d had as they hiked to Virgo from the ocean.
“Yes, and I told you I knew where to look for the Book of Branches, and that you had the key to finding it.” Gillian pulled his hat off his bald head and wiped his brow.
“Point. Get to the fucking point,” Monet said.
“The point is that Queen Azure is the only one who can enter the caves of Lancothy,” Gillian said, sliding the bowler back onto his head.
“Are you fucking kidding me? All things you could have said before I dirtied my robes on this venture.” Monet dusted his sleeves, his face pinched with anger.
“I knew she’d need our help to find the cave entrance, so stop complaining,” Gillian said.
“Wait. Why can’t you all go with me?” Azure asked.
Gillian cleared his throat. “I haven’t been entirely upfront with you.”
“Shocking,” Monet grumbled.
The gnome ignored him. “That cave leads to an underground city that most have never seen. One can only venture into the kingdom of Lancothy if they were born there, or are royalty. Those species who signed the treaty decided long ago that the only way to ensure that the people in Lancothy were abiding by the laws set forth by that doctrine was if they could visit the land every now and then. You see, because it is afraid of prejudice, the kingdom of Lancothy has been closed to outsiders for as long as anyone remembers. However, the law states that those of royal blood may pass into it.”
“What exactly is Azure going to find in this underground secret city?” Monet asked, crossing his arms on his chest.
“It’s not considered an especially dangerous place,” Gillian said, his face flushing pink.
“Come off it, gnome! Why would the people of Lancothy suffer from prejudice? What’s up with these strange cave people?” Monet said, strangely sounding protective of Azure.
“The only ones allowed in the kingdom of Lancothy besides royalty are wereanimals,” Gillian said.
The group exchanged uncomfortable looks, no one knowing how to respond to such a strange statement.
Gillian looked at Azure. “There’s a library in the center of the city, I believe. That’s where you’ll find the Book of Branches. However, you’ll have to steal it, because finding the information within the pages would take too long, and they’d never allow you to take the book from their city.”
“You’re asking her to steal a book?” Monet said, turning to Ever for backup. Monet looked more livid than Azure had seen him in a while.
“Yes, and not only that, you should pull your hood up to cover your face. Your royal blood allows you to venture into the city, since the magic was set up by the treaty. However, there are still many in Lancothy who don’t take kindly to those who are different from them. They don’t care about breaking our laws, and might harm you,” Gillian said, his tone too serious.
“Oh, my Merlin! This is fucking ridiculous! Now she has to sneak into unpleasant territory and steal a book! No. Just fucking no!” Monet threw his hands in the air.
“Monet.” Azure turned to him, her voice calm. “I’ll be fine. I’ll lay low. I’ve got my wand, and I’ll get in and out of there without being detected. Mage Lenore wouldn’t have sent me here if she thought I would be in real danger.”
“Oh, fuck. Now you’re putting stock in that nutty woman? Trust a gnome and a witch who is having a midlife crisis. Smart, Queen Loony,” Monet said, starting to pace.
“Well, if you’re concerned, Azure doesn’t have to go alone.” Ever stepped forward, a sly smile on his face.
“Oh wait, are you royalty and conveniently forgot to tell us? Prince of the Light Elves, huh?” Monet put venom in his words.
“No, I’m a commoner, but I think I could pass as a wereanimal,” Ever said, spreading his fingers wide at his side. Sparks flew back and forth between Ever and the bluebonnets, creating a stream of light that flowed to his hands, then traveled up his arms and over his chest. Magical symbols rose to the surface of his skin as his eyes glowed brightly.
A moment later the light and symbols faded, but the victorious look on Ever’s face remained.
“Uhhh, that was a cool trick, but you look nothing like a tiger or giraffe or whatever animal you were trying to disguise yourself as. You do look a bit like a monkey, but that’s nothing new.” Monet shook his head at Ever, obviously not okay with the current predicament.
“Turning myself into a real wereanimal would be nearly impossible with either human or Light Elf magic. However, if I’m correct in my assumption, wereanimals give off a certain pheromone, right?” He turned to Gillian for confirmation.
The gnome rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment. “Yes, that’s correct. I believe they have a pheromone that is unique to them, and which they emit no matter what animal they happen to be.”
“And you’ve now magically drenched yourself in wereanimal stink, is that it?” Monet asked, not looking convinced.
“Yes, and that should, if my assumption is correct, be enough to fool the magical guards at the entrance to the cave, allowing me passage. There must be a protective barrier which only allows those of wereanimal or royal blood to pass, right, Gillian?” Ever asked.
“Yes, that’s a correct assumption,” the gnome said.
“What if someone asks you to transform? What if that’s a test to get into the city?” Azure asked, sharing Monet’s skepticism.
“I don’t know much about the underground city of Lancothy, but I do believe that it’s considered a safe place for wereanimals. They are supposed to be free to be whoever they choose when in the city. However, I think that you shouldn’t advertise those Light Elf ears,” Gillian said.
“Good idea. Transformisanje uši.” Azure pointed her wand at Ever.
His pointy ears softened, rounding on the top. Ever’s hands flew to them, a grimace tightening his face. “I could have done that myself.”
“Yes, but when you do it on Earth you always shrink your ears. They don’t look as natural as the transformation I’ve done,” Azure said proudly.
Monet stepped forward and elbowed Ever in the side. “See, she can be a real bi
—”
“Do not finish that sentence if you desire to keep your wits about you,” Gillian threatened, his hands fisted on his hips.
“What? I was going to say beauty. Azure is a real beauty. The biggest, most insufferable beauty I’ve ever met,” Monet said, covering his laughing mouth.
“And you’re a real dick, Monet.” Azure found herself laughing too, but it was mostly due to the nerves now buzzing in her chest. She lifted her head to gaze at the cave entrance just above them.
“Here, take my robes just in case, for extra coverage,” Monet said, throwing his mint green robes at Ever. He caught them and nodded his appreciation, pulling the robes on and angling the hood over his head.
Monet strolled over to a cluster of green plants and snipped off a few sprigs of rosemary. He handed it to Azure, who took it with a look of surprise. “Rub that on your arms and neck. The robe will keep you covered, but that will hide your smell.”
Azure smiled admiringly, doing as Monet had instructed.
“We will stay in that clump of trees, Queen Azure.” Gillian pointed to a stand of oak trees just a bit down the mountain. The wizard and gnome would be shielded from view there.
“Okay, well, we will be back as soon as we can,” Azure said, swallowing a lump in her throat.
“Please do. I only stole one bottle of wine from Mage Lenore, and when it’s gone then I am too,” Monet said, striding for the trees.
“You what?” Gillian asked, running after the wizard.
Monet turned, a triumphant smile on his face. “Just kidding!”
“Oh, thank heavens.” Gillian threw his hands to his head, relief relaxing his face.
Monet crossed his hands, reaching into either side of his robe. “I actually stole two bottles of wine.” He held two wine bottles over his head. “You didn’t think I’d leave you high and dry? Get it? We’re on a mountain, and you—”
Gillian swung around to face Azure. “Hurry!” he said, cutting Monet off. “Before I kill him.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Azure stared into the blackness of the cave. In the distance, water could be heard dripping. The smell of bat shit and stale air wafted to the surface on a draft.
“It’s probably time to mention that I loathe caves.” Azure turned to Ever, a frustrated look on her face.
“Is it the dark, or the claustrophobic aspect?” he asked, tension written in his eyes.
“The ground is slippery as fuck. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve landed on my ass when exploring the caves around Virgo.” Azure lifted her wand and a light flickered above the tip, illuminating the inside of the cave. The walls were rough in places and smooth in others.
“Well, it looks as though this cave slants up, so maybe that will make the footing a bit easier,” Ever said, pointing at the path within the cave.
Azure agreed with an uneasy nod. “Okay, let’s go steal a book.”
The temperature dropped as soon as they entered the cave. Azure pulled her robes tighter around her throat and made sure that the hood hung low over her face. The pair hiked in silence for several minutes, focusing their senses on their surroundings. Bats’ wings flapped overhead, but thankfully the creatures stayed attached to the ceiling where they belonged. Azure appreciated all creatures, but there was something about bats that felt unnatural. Like, literally they were unnatural. The animals had come over from Earth, and when magic was used on them by a witch or wizard, as had happened several times, the bat disappeared and the person transformed into a bloodthirsty monster.
Currently there weren’t any known vampires on Oriceran because of the scare that happened several centuries ago when their population grew and they savagely attacked witches and wizards. Bats had been cursed to live in the caves after that, and most knew not to risk magic in their vicinity.
“Are the bats making you nervous?” Ever asked, breaking the silence.
Azure drew in a long breath, her wand now clenched between her teeth, light radiating from its end to illuminate their way. The climb had quickly turned steeper, requiring that she use her hands to help pull herself upward. “No, but if something does happen to me, I expect you to put me out of my misery.”
“Then you’re not of the mind that vampires can be rehabilitated?” Ever’s voice had a teasing quality.
“If there ever was a case, it wasn’t documented,” Azure said, panting. Ahead a light shimmered. And there was a sound…
“Is that a bird singing?” Azure asked.
Behind her Ever paused, listening. “Yes, that does sound like a songbird. Also, I hear a few other animal noises, but farther away. In the city, I think.”
“We’re in the right place then,” Azure said, feeling confident. Just then a bat dove for her face and she screamed, losing her footing and sliding down several steps. Her feet rammed into Ever’s head, and he grabbed her leg and pinned her to the rock before she fell farther down.
Ragged breath heaved in Azure’s chest. She kept her face close to the rock under her, aware that there were several bats above her. If she used magic in their presence they could swoop down into the magical force, which would bind the bat to her, making the two one. And poof! She’d be a blood sucking vampire who could infect her people. That story never turned out well.
“Are you okay?” Ever asked, his voice quiet.
“Yeah, I’m fine. We’re almost to the top, I think,” she said, pulling herself up with her arms before securing her feet back on the ground. Once she had climbed a bit, she pulled herself closer to the rock wall, using her legs more and moving faster than before.
Azure’s hands searched above her for a hold. They were almost vertical now and the light and sounds were more intense, which meant they were almost to the kingdom of Lancothy…hopefully.
A sharp rock found its way under Azure’s fingers. She secured both hands on it and pulled herself up, climbing using her hips. Her chin rose over the surface of a flat rock at the top of the path. Azure scrambled upward, not stopping until she was resting on the flat surface. She turned, holding out a hand to Ever, who gladly took it.
She tugged hard, and Ever flew up and rammed into Azure. She fell back, knocking her head into the other side of the cave wall. A cluster of bats bolted off the ceiling high above them, flying down through the cave where the magicians had come in. Azure buried her head in her arms, aware that it was bleeding from the contact with the wall.
When the sound of flapping wings had died, Azure lifted her head to find Ever staring at her from only a few feet away. The light of her wand had been extinguished, and now it lay beside her. She picked it up, noticing that there was a new light. Ever’s eyes were resting on something at Azure’s back. She turned around, and the sight before her stole her breath.
Stumbling to her feet, Azure realized they were at the mouth of the cave. They stood on a rocky cliff overlooking a sprawling city below. Large regal buildings sat in the middle of the city while smaller buildings and pathways circled the center. Around the edges, similar to the layout of Virgo, were cottages and farms. And on the far side were sharp green ridges. The light that filtered through and illuminated the city came from overhead as well as the far side of cavern.
“We’re inside a mountain. Why does it feel like we’re not?” Azure asked, staring at the city several hundred feet below them.
“It appears they built their city inside the mountain, but its peak was blown off by a volcano. I bet that’s what hollowed out the mountain,” Ever said, studying the city.
“And the light over there?” Azure pointed to the far side of the city where strange light streamed in through several large slits.
“It looks like they’ve carved out different light sources.”
“And that sunlight must be why the inside walls of the mountain are now covered in green grass,” she said, observing the ridges on the far side of the city.
“It’s like they’ve created their own ecosystem inside this mountain. Pretty incredible.” Ev
er was studying the ledge they stood on.
“Is that a ladder?” Azure asked, gesturing at the indentions carved into the cliff next to their ledge.
“I believe so. Apparently there’s no easy way into the city of Lancothy,” Ever said, crouching.
“Unless you have wings.” Azure pointed to the gigantic hole above the city where a few winged creatures soared. They were as large as harpies, but not as grotesque. They had the head and wings of an eagle, but the large body of a human. They glided through the air, back and forth, flying lower to the city.
“Wereeagles,” Ever said, his voice full of astonishment. “I’d only ever heard rumor of them before.”
“I’m thinking we’re about to see many things that were only rumors before today.” Azure angled around Ever, finding the first rung of the ladder. She should go first, although the idea of descending this ladder while completely vulnerable was her least favorite idea in a hundred years. Still, there didn’t seem to be an alternate route into the city, and she needed to go first, since this was her mission. Ever was here to help if things went awry.
Azure chanced a glance up and instantly regretted it. From where they hung upside down on the ceiling near the cave’s mouth, several beady-eyed bats stared back at her. Azure took the ladder faster, aware that the shadows of the wereeagles overhead intermittently shrouded them with darkness.
Ever descended as well, but like her he often stopped, gauging their surroundings. When they reached the bottom of the ladder there would be another challenge. Azure saw that the ladder ended in a lush green pasture where animals of many sorts seemed to be grazing or gathering. From this distance she wasn’t able to make out details; she was mostly concerned with getting to the bottom before being picked off by a wereeagle. Maybe they were the guards for Lancothy?
“We’re almost there,” Azure said in a reassuring voice to herself and to Ever.
“Yes, but I’m less worried about entering Lancothy than exiting it,” he said.