Jak turned to see the large central staircase curling up into the floor above. So that’s where that led to. She almost forgot her hunger at the notion of seeing the library.
“Well put those skinny bones to work, girl. Get moving!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Jak said again, and she hurried to the back door.
She found the kitchens easily enough and explained the situation to the cook, who was much less stern than Mrs. Semwei. The woman was plump and red-faced, with kindly eyes. Jak feasted on cold dumplings that nevertheless were some of the best morsels she’d ever had. Much better than Watcher rations. She could get used to this.
After scarfing down her food and ignoring the cook’s insistence that she eat more, she left and quickly found a spare room. She ran into a few other students reading by candlelight or lounging in their rooms. A few glanced at her, but most kept to themselves. Were they used to seeing new students arrive at the college?
Soon, Jak found a room that was empty. She gently laid down her pack and the long cloth-covered parcel that was her father’s spear and sat on the bed. It was firm, but not uncomfortable. She had one wooden table with a few unlit candles on it. The sun was all but gone so she would need those candles soon. But first, she had one last stop to make.
Unburdened by all her things, she stepped back the way she came. She was surprised how empty the place felt. Surely there were more students than the few that she saw. The large open area at the entrance looked eerily dark in the fading light. But a cool, blue light emanated from the room above the staircase. Leaning one hand on the center column, she began her climb to the library.
What reached her eyes as she crested the upper floor nearly brought on a flood of tears. .
She had never seen so many books! Rows and rows of old dusty volumes greeted her on all sides. The entire outer wall had shelves reaching as high as the domed ceiling. There had to be hundreds, no, thousands of books here.
Jak had to keep her legs from collapsing and sending her falling back down the spiral staircase. Everything she had ever known was contained in her one journal. She could just imagine how much more she could learn. Where to start?
She hadn’t the faintest idea.
2
“Get up, girl. Get up!”
For a moment, Jak had absolutely no idea where she was. All was dark around her, save for a small light that nevertheless blinded Jak as she looked at it. She blinked, disoriented.
“W-wha?”
“I am sorry to wake you at this unorthodox hour, but you have been summoned by a very special person.”
It was Semwei, leaning over her bed in the small student quarters. Jak had retired there eventually, only after being forced out of the library at curfew. Even then, she had managed to take one book with her, which she read into the night. Jak peered out the door. No light came through, it must still be dark outside. Now, why... did Semwei say someone had summoned her?
“Broken brands, child. Didn’t you hear me?”
Jak swung her legs off the bed sat up. “Who wants to see me?”
“Why, the queen of course.”
Jak stood up faster than she thought possible, then immediately regretted it as blood fought to reach her head. She swayed. “The queen is here?”
“Of course not, child. The queen doesn’t just waltz into the college to speak to the likes of you. She has sent an emissary.” Semwei’s lips formed a straight line. “He is waiting for you downstairs. I suggest you hurry.”
“But why?”
“No questions, girl!” Semwei was losing patience. “Get dressed!”
Jak stumbled across the room to where her travel clothes lay abandoned, but when she picked them up, she looked at Semwei. “Ah... I don’t really have something suitable.”
“You needn’t worry about that.” Semwei folded her arms. “They will take care of you in the palace. Assuming you ever get there at the rate you’re going.”
Jak was starting to feel more awake now and hurried about putting some clothes over her night shift. The gravity of Semwei’s revelation was beginning to sink in. The queen? Wanted to see her? How did the queen even know who she was, or care?
She finished putting on her travel clothes, sniffing the collar and wincing. Why couldn’t the queen have summoned her after she had a chance to wash her clothes? She hadn’t bathed in days. She had noticed the washroom earlier but bypassed it in favor of the library the night before. She had thought to wash in the morning, but now that was out of the question.
Semwei looked her up and down. “Hmm. Well, I suppose it will have to do. I’m sure the palace servants will make you more presentable.”
Jak swallowed, feeling her nervousness rise with each second. Her head pounded from the sudden awakening. She couldn’t have had more than a few hours of sleep. Semwei turned, and Jak followed her to the outer courtyard. Sure enough, the sky had not even begun to show signs of a rising sun. It must be incredibly early, yet Semwei acted as if all was normal. Did the woman even sleep?
Semwei led her to the large domed circle that sat on the entrance to the college. There, Jak saw a man waiting. He wore a red and black frilly doublet and britches. His hair was combed back, completely flat along his head. How did he get it to stick like that?
“This is the girl?” he said, looking her up and down.
“It is.”
Jak’s nervousness rose. Where was Gabriel? Had he already left to investigate the problem along the coast?
The man adopted a formal stance and... actually bowed to Jak. She wasn’t sure what to do, so she curtsied back. Her second curtsy since arriving.
“Jakniteksnewodheghoma,” the man said formally. “You have been summoned to appear before Her Majesty, the Queen Telmalotalomalin, first of her name, ruler of land, ocean, and island, wearer of the Crown Relics, and defender of the downtrodden.”
“Uh... okay.” Jak didn’t know what to say. “Do I just follow you?”
The man seemed not to notice her discomfort. “Indeed. A carriage waits outside.” With that, he strode away, and after a glance at Semwei, Jak followed.
The carriage waited there, and Jak took a moment to take it in. It was far more lavish than anything she had seen before. Drawn by two beautiful black horses, the wood of the carriage was polished and gilded with gold and red paints. Another man sat in the driver’s chair, while the man who had met Jak inside held open the door for her. Was she getting special treatment or was this how all the visitors to the queen were summoned?
She climbed the small step into the carriage and took a seat on one side. The messenger followed and sat across from her, not saying anything.
As the carriage started up, Jak held her arms to her sides, feeling the chill and being acutely aware of how much she smelled in the confining space. She should really have taken a bath instead of visiting the library last night. The messenger didn’t seem to notice.
Jak couldn’t see much outside, but she could feel the carriage begin a steep incline, and it wound back and forth on its way up. Not long after, they arrived in a small open area outside of the palace. When she exited the carriage, Jak had to stop and stare for a moment. The palace was even more magical up close, supported by huge buttresses, the building seemed to reach up into the heavens. The light was beginning to appear in the east now, and she glanced around at the rest of Skyecliff. The palace was far more elevated than it had appeared from the ground. She could see for miles in every direction, far beyond the city limits.
“The girl will please follow me.” said the messenger.
Jak walked behind him, noticing how shabby she looked with each step. The main entrance led into a hallway lit with bright torches and filled with oddities like suits of armor, large tapestries, and even what looked to Jak like a minor Relic. Jak felt her anticipation grow, and the questions reappeared in her mind. Just why did the Queen want to see her?
The messenger led her to a small but decorated room. Jak noticed a large tub sitting in on
e end, partially hidden behind a wooden screen. Several women, about Jak’s age, stood inside.
“The girl will undress and leave her soiled clothes with the maidens.” The messenger turned to face Jak, indicating the other women in the room. “After which she will bathe and select new clothes.”
Undress? Here? Jak clutched her arms again, feeling all eyes on her. The messenger, blessedly, left the room.
“My lady, if you would?” one of the maidens said.
My lady? Jak had never been referred to as a lady. After a bit more prodding from the others, she stripped and entered the bath as quickly as she could. To her surprise, the water was wonderfully warm. She could almost feel her muscles relaxing as they made contact with the liquid. But she tensed again, as almost immediately, three of the other girls approached the bath with sponges in hand. They didn’t plan to... to wash her, did they?
It turned out that was exactly what they were there to do. Jak could do nothing to hide her burning red face as they washed her from head to toe. Following the bath, she was provided with not one, not two, but seven outfits to choose from. After finally picking the outfit with the least amount of frills on it, she felt her face burn again as the girls helped her dress.
The process took forever, and Jak could see the sun shining brightly through the window by the time they finished. And just as Jak thought they were done, she received a face full of powder. She coughed.
“What is…?”
But one of the maidens pressed a finger to Jak’s mouth, to keep her from speaking, after which she applied a red stick to her lips. Then the girl indicated that Jak should rub her lips together, which she did, tasting something bitter. What exactly were they doing to her face?
Hours later, Jak had almost forgotten why she was there. The girls brought her a mirror, and Jak almost screamed in shock. She did not recognize the girl staring back at her. Her face was white, her lips were red, her hair was pulled back in one of the most ornate designs she had ever seen. And that wasn’t to mention her clothes, which were far from practical, though better than some of the other options she could have selected. This one at least didn’t puff out like a lost sheep who hadn’t been sheered in months.
“Does the image please the lady?” said one of the girls holding the mirror.
“Uh... I suppose so.” Jak really had no idea of what accounted for pleasing around here. But she smelled nice, so that was something at least.
The girl curtsied to her! Jak had never seen anyone pay her with such respect. “I will inform the Lord Chamberlain you are ready to see the queen.”
Jak felt her stomach grow nauseous. But she said nothing. What could she say? ‘Uh, please I’d rather not see the queen at all if you don’t mind.’ There was nothing that could be done at this point.
The young women continued to fuss over the details of her hair and makeup. Jak let them. Her thoughts were turned inward. What was the queen going to ask her? Or even more pressing what was she going to say? Did one even speak to queens? But of course, that was silly. People spoke to queens.
A moment later and the same man who had arrived to pick her up from the college stepped into the room. “Hmmm.” He looked her over. “Not bad. Still looks a little thin.”
Jak felt like hugging her arms to her sides again, but she resisted. So, what if she was skinny? But she didn’t like it when the man’s eyes looked her up and down, even if it was his job.
“Very well,” the Lord Chamberlain said, “I shall escort you to the Royal Hall. Follow me please.”
Jak followed, still too nervous to ask any questions.
They went down what seemed to be an endless set of hallways, each lined with valuable items and artifacts, as Jak had seen when they first entered. Yes, there were definitely some Relics here. Actual Relics! Jak resisted the urge to pluck one off the wall and examine it up close.
Distracted, she almost bumped into the Chamberlain as he came to an abrupt halt. Jak peered behind him. Two enormous oak doors stood in front of them, lavishly decorated and carved with exquisite detail. Figures depicting some historical event, most likely, were carved into the wood. Jak could have spent a while just looking at this door.
“This is the entrance to the Royal Hall.” the man said. “Her Majesty awaits. Regarding matters of etiquette. Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not meet Her Majesty’s eyes until she has addressed you personally. Always meet her eyes thereafter when she is speaking to you. Do not ask questions. You are expected to curtsy upon entering and then again when before the throne. I understand there will be others in attendance. You are not to interact with them unless the queen gives her leave to do so. You will address her first as Your Majesty, and thereafter as My Lady. Do you understand?”
Jak did her best to remember everything but nodded. What would happen if she forgot one of the rules? Would the queen have her head cut off?
The oak doors creaked and slowly swung open, revealing the room beyond. It was enormous! Jak didn’t think there was a single building in Riverbrook that would not have fit inside this single room. Jak almost forgot to curtsy as she entered, doing her best not to look directly at the figure who sat directly ahead.
3
If she thought her own robes were overly lavish, it was nothing compared to what the queen was wearing. The woman’s gown flowed beyond her feet, over the steps that led to the raised throne. How did the woman walk? Jak didn’t look at the queen’s face, as instructed, but she could tell that the woman had an extravagant headdress that filled the space around her head and shoulders.
Jak jumped as the Chamberlain spoke in a loud voice. “Announcing, Lady Jakniteksnewodheghoma of Her Majesty’s province of Riverbrook. Brought here upon Her Majesty’s request.”
Jak stepped forward, still avoiding the Queen’s eyes, and curtsied the second time when she felt she was close enough. Out of the corners of her eyes, she saw two others enter from the other side of the room. She restrained herself from looking to see who they were.
“My thanks, Lord Gent.” The Queen spoke for the first time. Her voice was soft but held an authority Jak admired.
The Lord Chamberlain bowed and exited the way he had come. Jak thought her eyes might bore a hole in the ground with the way she intensely avoided looking up.
“Child.” The queen spoke to her. “How has your visit to the Royal Palace been thus far?”
Okay, she was speaking to her. That meant she could look the queen in the eye. Jak raised her eyes to meet those of the queen. Her face was pale and covered in makeup like Jak’s, but in far more generous amounts. Her headdress was indeed extravagant, fanning out like a territorial bird. Jak wondered idly how the woman managed to keep her head straight with all that resting on her head.
Just then, she remembered that the queen had asked her a question. “Uh, it’s been wonderful....Your Majesty. I... had no idea I could be this clean.”
She closed her eyes. Stupid!
A soft chuckle escaped the queen’s lips. “I am glad we could help expose you to a modicum of civilization.”
Jak wished very much they would cut the small talk. She almost asked why she was here but stopped herself just in time as she remembered she wasn’t supposed to ask any questions.
“May I present two of my most trusted advisors. This is General Wilvathemalonolok, of Watcher High Command.”
Jak followed the Queen’s gesture to her right, Jak’s left, to see a stern woman with shaved hair and light armor. So, she was the highest authority among the Watchers. She would have to tell Naem about this later.
The queen gestured to her other side. “And this is the Royal High Priest who governs the Holy Church in the worship of its Relics. He has no name as everything must be sacrificed in the pursuit of true religion, but you may address him as Your Holiness.”
Jak felt the need to curtsy again. “How do you do?”
She didn’t like the way the other two were looking at her. General Wilva squinted her eyes at her warily,
while the Royal Priest had an uncanny smile that made Jak wish she had several more layers of clothing on.
“Oh, she is quite adorable isn’t she?” said the queen clapping her hands together.
“Yes, my lady,” the Royal Priest folded his arms.
“Well then,” the queen continued as if the Priest had not spoken. “Down to business. We have heard some strange reports coming from my fortress of Foothold. They all concern you.”
“Uh…” Jak hesitated as the queen waited expectantly for her to answer. How much did the queen already know? “Yes, we had a fight with some demons. I helped.”
“From what we’ve heard, you did far more than that. Please, tell me about the Fae.”
Jak swallowed. So, the queen knew something about what had happened. Well, she had agreed to be an ambassador of sorts for the Fae. This was as good an opportunity as she was likely to get.
“They helped us take care of the demon threat. Without them, none of us would have remained alive.”
“But don’t you think it’s a bit suspicious that they showed up while the demons began to organize? The first demon army we’ve ever seen, and our first major interaction with these Fae. Coincidence?”
Jak was prepared for that line of thought. She’d heard it before. “The Fae existed long before the demons began to organize themselves. I know some of the Fae came into being as many as seventeen years ago.”
“What do you mean came into being? I don’t suppose they just spring out of the ground.” The queen laughed as if she had made a wonderful joke, but she was the only one who did so.
“No... uh... my lady. They used to be human.”
Jak knew she had step carefully. No one knew that Jak’s mother was a Shadow Fae, none but herself, Naem, Gabriel, and a few of the Fae themselves.
“So, you’re saying that they are like the demons, mutated by magic?” It was the Royal Priest who asked this question. He looked like he had been waiting to ask it.
Growing Ripples: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 2) Page 2