The final drumbeat rang out, making the great hall quiet again. Neala saw her father stand up to address the young daemons.
“You are here today to learn about the history of your tribe. Many of you will soon see your sixteenth moon when the Gods will awaken your inner daemons. We will baptize you in the Terra’s ways, as your fathers before you. So, it is time you knew the whole story.” Her father sat back down. He was never one for many words in big crowds. A trait all the Terra royals seemed to share.
The first start of talks droned on and on, making it hard for Neala to keep her head up. They began with the evolution of humans to daemon. Neala already knew the ancient tale. The tales stated that the humans thrived until the first generation of daemon offspring emerged a couple hundred years ago. The elders state that the first generations were of pure blood.
“Some daemons watered down their blood line by mating with the humans, some blended with other daemon species and some kept it pure. It did not take long for the Gods to bless all babies with the daemon powers, and the remaining humans did not survive the great wars.” One of the graying elders stated.
Neala sat up, finding it strange how mass extinction seemed to make the old man happy. The man continued.
“Daemons of pure blood that kept their lines clean, the Gods blessed their offspring with even stronger abilities. After the great wars, the four pure daemon races parted ways creating the royal families and declaring peace.” The old man declared and then sat down. The elders kept this orchestrated dance on as if rehearsed many times.
“After the war, and to prevent further war, the four royal families came together to form the ancient laws. These laws are absolute throughout all tribes and are punishable by death. Rule one: No daemon shall practice elemental crossings, and all subsequent children are subject to death.” The woman said and took a long pause, lingering a little too long in Neala’s direction.
“Two: No murder of a royal family member without provocation.” Another long pause and then a hand shot up from the crowd. The old woman nodded to the changeling.
“What about the murder of our Queen? She was of royal blood. The Pyre Queen should be dead.” Laith yelled from across the room. The elder woman nodded to the sudden out cries.
“The Pyre Queen is guilty of the murder of Terra Queen Selma. Many years we pursued the woman, and many of our warriors lost their lives in that pursuit. The Pyre’s fortress is impenetrable by any daemons without the fire within, and the Queen never leaves it. We still have a bounty out for her head, and we will never forgive.” The woman said to the applause of the crowd and a rally of rapid drumbeats.
Neala sat frozen at the talks of her mother. She had died when Neala was just a baby. Her father almost never talked about her and forbade anyone to talk about her death. She didn’t know whether she should cheer and share in their anger or curl up and cry. Before she could do either, the crowd died down and the woman continued.
“The last of the ancient laws: No royal daemon shall rule over the daemons of a different God.” The woman sat down as her speech ended, and her uncle stood up to take her place.
“To know yourself and your enemies will strengthen you. I am sure most of you know the abilities that our Terra possesses: Earth movers and manipulators to our core. Those outside of the ancient family seem to only possess strength in one element, where some ancient family still possess the power of all earth elements and the abilities to talk to land animals.” Her uncle said and gave a soft smile at Gemma.
“Now to know our enemy, the Pyre. They are the daemons of the flame both inside and out. They can manipulate all fire and create their own. The Pyre’s fire is of the brightest blue and can only be extinguished by a Pyre. We know it as Ever Flame. They fight with weapons forged from the Ever Flame that burn the same bright blue. Some Pyre can conjure fire animals to fight with, a terrible sight to behold. They are also the only daemons to never cross bloodlines, keeping their bloodlines pure. The ancient family are the strongest and can manipulate any daemon or animal alike with a single touch of their hand making them bend to the Pyre’s will.”
The crowd chanted in a low growl. Neala felt like some of them were being manipulated right now. Her uncle raised a hand to hush the crowd.
“The Avians are our allies and have called on us for protection from the Pyre for years. They are the manipulators of wind and weather. Last are the Hydris daemons. They are the rulers of the seas and waters. Their ancient families also can talk to sea dwelling creatures. I know not much about their people since they retreated to the sea after the Great War broke out.” He said to an eager audience. He sat back down, and yet another man took his place.
The excitement that her uncle had brought dissipated as the next elder launched into the Great War. Neala and her fellow changelings became bored with yet another history lesson. Neala’s mind wandered away from the well-known war and more to what the elders had said. Della had told her that history didn’t have to repeat itself. She wondered which part she had wanted Neala to hear. Maybe she meant that there would be revenge for her mother, Neala liked that idea.
Chapter 5
The Trades
The next few weeks Neala spent more time in the infirmary, then her own bedroom. She only left Callista’s side if other visitors were there with her. Neala wasn’t the only one who had taken an interest in the infirmary, as Tyee came and went almost as much as Neala. He came to visit at the same time as Neala had to go to class every day. Callista became an expert at avoiding questions Neala bombarded her with when she returned. Growing tired of the run around, she confronted him before he entered the room.
“I am used to Callista drooling over you, ever since we were kids. You have never taken an interest in her before, what has changed?” Neala said, looking up at her towering brother. Only a few years older than her, he acted more of a parent to her than a brother. Tyee shuffled his feet and ran a hand over the top of his head. Neala did not confront people this way, but she had grown weary of being treated as a child.
“Seeing her after the accident, it changed something in me. I took her for granted. I don’t want to see the people I care about die and live with the same regret as I do about our mother.” He said and took a deep breath. They never spoke of their mother, Neala forgot that Tyee still remembered her unlike herself.
“Oh. I didn’t realize this was about mother. I’m sorry, Ty.” Neala said. Tyee shook his head, shuffling Neala’s hair.
“You lost her too, you know. You don’t remember her, but she was amazing. She was a warrior like Callista, funny and sarcastic like her too.” Tyee said and looked at the door. Neala understood that this was more than a crush. He was in love with her the way their father loved mother. Neala nodded and let him pass, not wanting to meddle any further.
By the time Callista could leave the hospital wing and return to the village, the snows had melted. This meant that they were nearing the time for the trades. Something she was so excited to attend, but now that the time was close, she fretted. The talks of the Pyre and the bloody history between the two tribes brought on nightmares that Neala could not get out of her mind.
“There won’t be any Pyre. You heard your father, the Pyre trade only with the Hydris and they do so at the summer solstice.” Callista reminded her between their walks to class.
“Yeah, I know, but father is bringing extra warriors. That means he could suspect danger.”
“Or it means he is a good King and wants to make sure they protect his daughter. Plus, there has been no Pyre activity for months and no bloodshed for years. I’ve heard the rumor that they are trying to find a new territory in the far east.” Callista said. “Just make sure you are back in time for my changing day.”
“Father wouldn’t miss it. I’ve heard him talking with your mother about the celebration. It’ll be glorious.” Neala assured her.
◆◆◆
Spring was in full bloom by the time that Neala,
Gemma, her father, and a small pack of warriors were at the gates for the long journey to the sea. Even with horses, it would take a week to get there. She was told to pack light, but she still had to pack the most since she couldn’t manipulate yet and had to set up shelter by hand.
“We could go faster if you would just pop up my shelter and fire for me.” Neala had complained to him the night before they left.
“This will make you a well-rounded Princess and give you stronger abilities after your changing day. Plus, remember all the fun adventures we used to have pretending to be humans for a week. Nothing but our wits and survival skills. You used to love that.” He said, to which she rolled her eyes at him.
People lined up at the gates to bid their farewells. Neala watched the warriors kiss their wives goodbye, watched her uncle and father in deep conversation, and the house hands finish loading up the wagons and checking supplies.
“Bring me back something shiny.” Callista said, wrapping Neala up in a hug.
“Got it something shiny for you, and something stronger for you.” Neala said, bidding farewell to Tyee.
“You will be fine sister. With Gemma by your side, no one will try to mess with you.” He teased and ruffled the back of Gemma’s neck. “Just be your cautious self when you’re with the Avians. They may seem friendly, but there is always an agenda.”
Neala nodded and mounted up on her steed. Following their party through the mountain gates for the second time in her life. She couldn’t help but pray to the Gods it wouldn’t be as eventful as the last time she was out of the mountains. Gemma trotted next to her and broke out into a sprint when they reached the other side. As Neala watched her frolic, she knew that this time would be much different, and the exhilaration of the trip returned to her.
The journey was peaceful for the first few days. They kept a steady pace and at night they would gather around the fire and listen to the King tell his tall tales of war while his warriors drank from wine pouches. Neala felt welcomed for once, with the small band of warriors close to her father. No one made her feel weird.
On the 5th day of their journey, they were riding through a prairie when the winds changed direction, and clear skies turned dark. From the clouds emerged three figures that looked like angels at first. They glided out of the sky and landed in front of her father.
“King Kendrick, what a pleasant surprise” Said a woman in the middle. She was tall and slender, wearing a beautiful pearl encrusted crown that sat on top of her flowing white hair. She looked at their whole party, revealing silver eyes. Next to the woman was a stocky man with long silver hair that matched his well-manicured beard, and on her other side was a boy who looked no older than Neala. Her eyes lingered on the boy. He had short wavy blonde hair, the same electric grey eyes as the other two, and smooth tanned skin.
“Queen Deanne, hardly a surprise you know our routes, but I hadn’t expected you until we reached the shores. This is my daughter, Princess Neala.” Kendrick said. Deanne turned and stared at Neala, making her fidget in her saddle.
“Your daughter doesn’t look much like you or your late wife, not with that hair. I see she hasn’t changed yet. Very bold to take this one across the lands, have you grown careless in your old age?” The woman said. Neala had never seen her father grow so angry before. His face became cherry red even under his shaggy beard. The ground shook, causing his horse to rear up on its hind legs.
“You will not talk to me in such a manner and you will leave Neala out of your mouth if you know what’s good for you.” Kendrick said.
“You are right King Kendrick, my apologies. Her appearance has taken me back to another time. This is my Samuel’s first time at the Trades too, but I wouldn’t risk him coming without the Gods gifts. You know that we are always targets out here. I will leave you now, it was nice to meet you.” Deanne said, and they all rose high in the air and were out of sight, the winds with them.
Neala wanted to ask her father what had happened. She was sure she had missed something. She knew better than to try and get anything out of him when he was this angry. Neala wrapped her hair up in a scarf, just in case they met any more unexpected visitors along the way. They continued on the path to the sea in a much more somber tone. That night when she was lying in her shelter, she heard her father whispering to someone in the night, but she was too scared to look to see who he was talking to. Neala nuzzled up to Gemma and wrapped herself up, willing for her familiar dreams to come and with them the comforting song of a stranger.
The next day they made their way across the prairie in continued silence. This trip was turning into a miserable endeavor. Until late that afternoon when the air changed from warm and dry, to crisp and salty. The horses climbed a small dune and Neala set her eyes for the first time on the beautiful rolling seas. Birds she had never seen, before flew up ahead and the sand swirled around with each gust of wind. They made their way to the beach to camp for the night, and Neala set up her shelter with wood she had never seen before. It was lighter and irregular. Putting the last piece in place, she stepped back to admire it. It looked misshapen next to her parties’ crafted huts, but she was happier than she had ever been with her odd shelter.
The next morning, she woke up early feeling refreshed by a night spent by the sea and the sounds of the rolling ocean. She left Gemma sleeping in the hut and went out to comb the beach to find some seashells to make a necklace for Callista. She was so busy looking down at the sand that she didn’t notice the wind change, but she heard a soft pat on the ground and turned around. Startled, she jumped back, seeing the handsome boy they met on the trail.
“Good Morning princess, I am Samuel.” He said and then bowed. She flushed with embarrassment at the sudden appearance of the handsome man and startled that he bothered to seek her out.
“Please, I am no more of a princess than you are a prince. I am just Neala.” He hypnotized her with those electric eyes; he was nothing like she had ever seen before. Wearing a light woven garment with an opening at the chest, she could see all his muscles and his soft brown skin. She flushed again but did not know why.
“This is my first time at the trades. I have heard of your daemon tribe my whole life. My mother says that your father is a most powerful King, and he is one to fear.” He looked at her with a slight smirk on his face. “You must look like your mother because you look nothing like him.”
At the mention of her mother in casual conversation, the boys' presence started making Neala feel uncomfortable. The Avians were more forward with her than she had been used to growing up in her mountain fortress.
“I suppose I do. I better get back or father will wonder where I have gone.”
“So soon? Ok then, maybe we can get together before we leave, I would love that.” He bowed deep again and lifted off to the air and back over the hill.
When she got back to camp, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her father of the encounter. He was already in a sour mood, and the mention of an Avian Prince would not help the situation.
“Get dressed in your formal wear and crown, we will meet for the trades soon.” Her father said, still looking grumpy as he was inspecting their trailer with their goods to trade.
She hurried back inside and dressed in her lightest cotton gown, braided her hair back, adding some flowers in for good luck. She grabbed her tiara, a small woven gold crown with inlaid emeralds. Outside, her father was waiting on his horse. Her small painted pony waited too. She stroked her neck and then jumped on.
“Stay here and watch camp. Neala make sure Gemma stays back too.” Kendrick said, addressing his first warrior and herself. The man nodded and pounded his chest with his fist.
“They are not coming?” Neala panicked. Not that she didn’t have full faith in her father’s abilities.
“Royals only for the trades, it is our custom and allows for more trust when hired hands are not surrounding us.” He gave
a weak smile.
The ride to the trading point was peaceful and beautiful. She had never seen or heard so much beauty. The sun was kissing her face while salt filled the air and the soft rumble of the waves crashing in the distance. As she was looking into the waves, she saw something was looking back.
A massive grey shark was in the waves just offshore. The largest animal Neala had ever laid her eyes on was riding the waves and then circling back around. If Neala didn’t know any better, she would swear it was stalking her. That’s ridiculous. Sharks don’t stalk people, right? She thought.
“Papa, do you see that?” she shouted to her father. He continued riding, unable to hear over the sounds of the waves. The shark continued for some time before disappearing into the surf.
Off in the distance she saw four figures standing by the sea. As they got closer, she could see that it was the tempests they met earlier and a smaller hooded figure she hadn’t seen before.
“Good morning King Kendrick, we meet again. Let’s get down to business, shall we? Do you have any of those lovely bear skins we adore? In return, we have the bottled rains for you for those long summer days. We also wouldn’t say no to any of your excellent armor, swords, or arrows.” She seemed much more formal than the Deanne we met on the road.
“Yes, skins for the rains, but we want the winds too for the weapons.” He said, staring at the hooded figure behind her.
Deanna didn’t hand over the bottles as Neala expected, but she pulled out a black vase and began whispering in it, the sand started whipping all around stinging their faces, making their horses pace, and then it stopped as she put a topper on it. She reached into her cloak taking out a second vase, this one blue, placing it in the sands in front of her. Deanne looked up to the heavens, whispered something, clapping her hands together over her head. A shot of lightning came from the sky straight into the bottle. A vortex of grey clouds swirled as they pulled into the bottle following the lightning. When it stopped, she put a topper on that bottle too.
The Hybrid Princess Page 4