The Lost Princess

by Nisa Ryan

  “Dammit,” I growled. This was not the time to be breaking body parts. I sat there, pressing my hands on either side of the injured joint, trying to keep the swelling from being noticeable, but it was already visibly swollen by the time Niam and Julian joined me on the ground.

  “I’m sorry,” I growled as I rubbed my ankle. Pressing a hand on the side of the wall for stability, I began to walk only to find one of the flaming monstrosities looking right at us from the other end of the alley, a glow emanating from its third eye that bathed us in blue light.

  It was large, much larger than the one my father was fighting against and much larger than the one we had fought. This thing stood just over four stories tall. Its eyes were as big as the wheel of a horsecart, the horns on its head were so long they had twisted forwards into meat hooks that glinted evilly in the light. It took a tentative step forward, its jaws opening wide as a small flame burst to the ground in front of it. It stopped and looked between the three of us before settling its amber gaze on me. A long soot-blackened tongue ran over its toothy jaws,

  “Mahadou,” it sputtered from between sharp fangs in a gravelly voice. I heard Niam gasp,

  “No,” and turned to look at him, but he was staring at the giant and didn’t notice my questioning glance. I bit down on my lower lip and frowned as I tried to remember where I had heard that word before, but the monster moved towards us on its jointed hind legs. Its long tail trailed an arc of flame behind the beast as it burst into a run.

  Julian jumped in front of me, his sword raised as he glanced over at Niam, who nodded and leaped up onto the roof across from us. Without so much as a word the both of them went to work. Niam leaped up off the roof, flipping through an aerial spin over the monsters’ head, and dragging his sword across is snout. He landed on the ground opposite of it, his bare feet hardly making a sound. The beast stopped its charge long enough that Julian was able to dash between its legs and viciously sliced at the flesh of its calves and jointed heels, moving through a practiced sword drill. The monster roared and splayed its clawed toes out as thick blood formed a sizzling pool beneath it. The Ifreet was sputtering flames at the two men who leaped around it cut long wounds across is hide before jumping again out of range, over and over they danced as the creature slowly tired and then weakened. Julian attacking from below and Niam keeping it distracted by attacking from either side by rooftop. I stayed back out of the way; without a weapon and a bad ankle, there wasn’t much I could do, but I didn’t want them to fight on their own.

  Quickly began to look around for something I could use. Anything would do so long as it was sharp. Digging through the piled-up rubbish, I smiled to myself as the edge of a shovel glinted in the light. Grabbing it, I stood only to fall again as a sharp pain shot up my leg where I had twisted my ankle, I could only hope I didn’t break anything but the pain was steadily growing. Bracing myself against the pain, I turned to face the beast.

  Julian had knelt on the ground and had clasped his hands together, allowing Niam the leverage to vault high up into the air. Dragging his sword up across the giants’ gut in one fell swoop before plummeting back down into Julian’s arms, blood poured down the beasts’ stomach and thighs. Soaking its dense red-orange fur. The Ifreet let out a deafening roar, throwing its head back and then doubling over as it opened its jaws and bathed the area in angry red flames. I heard someone shout a warning, and then watched in horror as the Ifreet swiped out a massive paw, catching Julian in the stomach that sent his body crashing into the rubble of a collapsed home.

  “Julian!” I screamed his name and ran to join the fray. The Ifreet’s eyes met mine for just a moment, and I lifted a hand to my mouth in a jolt of surprise, I thought I saw a question forming in the Ifreets’ fiery gaze, but the light went out of its eyes before I could even begin to grasp what it might have been.

  The blood of the beast caught fire, and a wave of flame and acid erupted like a volcano around it. For a moment, the alley looked as if someone had set off fireworks as rolling blue and orange flames leaped up into the sky and bathed the area is searing heat. I blinked my eyes to try and clear the spots that were now swimming in my vision. As the flames began to die down, I realized that I couldn’t see Niam or Julian.

  “Julian, Niam!” I cried out as I ran towards the carcass, ignoring the pain in my leg. The Ifreet burst into flame as I crept around it. It was eerie that even in death, the large third eye continued to glow. It was hot enough to dry my lips and tongue, and my eyes ached from the brightness of it. I called out again, “Julian, Niam!”

  I didn’t see any movement amongst the flames. I was stunned, What should I do? What could I do? I was alone now. Setting my jaw, I pushed the thoughts away, I wasn’t a helpless woman. I knew how to take care of myself, and I had always known that one day, I might lose them all in one way or another. My father had trained me well, and I would not fall apart at the first sign of real danger. Up until now the most threat I had ever been in was from either falling from a high rooftop, being caught by the military guards which a few well-placed bribes could always clear up, or the occasional knife and sword wound but none of those had ever been life-threatening.

  Now was not the time to let emotions get the best of me. There would be time to grieve later. I turned to head towards the gate. With any luck, the ship would still be there as Niam had said, and if not, I would find another way out.

  “You were really going to leave us, weren’t you?”

  I turned, looking around and then finally found Niam perched on the roof nearest to me. There was no accusation in his voice, only a strange sense of respect. Julian lay slumped next to him, an arm hanging over the edge of the storm drain, and I felt tears trying to push their way out, but I fought them back.

  “If I had to, then yes,” I replied quietly, “He’s not...is he?” I asked quietly.

  Niam crossed his arms and rested a foot on top of Julian’s back, “Unfortunately no, he’ll live. But he might wish he’d died with how much it’s going to hurt come daylight.”

  I nodded slowly as Niam bent over and slung Julian’s arms around his neck and made the leap down to the street with me. I took one of Julian’s arms and we both half-walked half-dragged Julian towards the gate between us.

  “Niam, thank you.”

  He cocked his head to the side, “For what?”

  I met his eyes briefly but choked on the words, and his eyes widened at the silent tears that ran down my cheeks.

  He grinned, cocking his head to one side, “No worries, it’s what I do. Sometimes.”

  ♦♦♦

  We were quiet for the rest of the night. The ship was there as Niam had promised it would be, and we boarded it quietly. He had been right, it was small and only just big enough for us, and the twelve people that were already on board, which I assumed were the crew from their odd dress. We moved Julian to a bed in a private room so I could set about bandaging his wounds as I reflected on the night and wondered how this had happened and where my father was and if he was even alive at all.

  Most of Julian’s wounds were minor, but he had broken two of the fingers on his left hand and had hit his head hard enough that blood caked his hair, and he had a large lump forming around the cut. I did my best to clean the wound and stitch it up but only time would tell if it was enough.

  Chapter 8

  When daylight came, Julian was still resting, but his eyes had dark circles around them as if he hadn’t slept in days plus, he had a high fever, and when I changed the bandages around his head, the wound began to bleed again. After I finished cleaning and re-bandaging his head, I stood and used the clean water Niam had brought me to wash my hands. I wondered for the hundredth time where my father was, what had happened last night and how did those monsters get there? I ran a hand over my forehead, feeling dizzy and feverish as the ship rocked beneath my feet in a none too gentle manner. I could hear the sounds of the waves leaping up against the wooden sides of the ship and smell the musky ocean odor th
at permeated everything. I pressed a hand to my stomach and nearly retched as another massive wave rolled beneath us, and the ship bobbed back and forth. I hadn’t eaten anything since before last night and refused to, my stomach felt like it was playing jump-rope with my guts. I jumped as Niams’ voice smoothed over my thoughts,

  “It’s worse if you stay below. You should try to rest, or at least come up to get some fresh air.”

  I glared at him; he seemed so at ease here as if he had always been on ships, and I wondered once again where he really came from. I shook my head and said stubbornly, “Not until Julian wakes up.”

  Niam sighed, rolling his eyes, he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. This was the fifth time he had asked me since daylight broke out over the waters,

  “You do realize that if you end up getting sicker from not eating or sleeping, you won’t be of any help to him, right?”

  I nodded slowly, he had a point. “Of course,” I sighed.

  “Come on, I’ll walk with you. Julian will be fine.”

  I nodded again, and without another word, I followed him out through the passageway and up onto the main deck of the ship.

  The ship was more extensive than I remembered it being in our rush to board and set sail. I barely remembered crashing through the other ships that shuddered away from Wisteria. Made of dark polished wood with gold trim along the rails, it’s bow was graced with a maiden of long golden hair with wings spread across the wood protectively behind it. White sails were glowing gold in the sun and stretched wide with the breeze. The sun’s rays poured out over the glistening river delta and lit up the forests on either side of us. Several small islands dotted the waters ahead of us and beyond that was the open sea. I had no idea where we were going or why really. I assumed this was a trade ship, but it was too small, and its crew was too light to be an actual ocean-going vessel. Anytime I tried to ask where we were heading, the crew reacted as if they had no idea what I was saying or simply ignored me. I leaned against the rail and looked down at the briny water being churned up by our passage and, with a sigh, reached up a hand to touch the necklace around my neck and sent a silent prayer to the gods that all would be well and that Julian would heal.

  Niam had watched over Raina all night as she tirelessly cared for Julian, checking his bandages over and over and changing them if they looked too tight, too loose, or had soaked through with blood. He watched as she had stitched up the worse of the wounds without hesitation and then washed his body as best as she could of dirt, ash, and sweat. Her clothes from the night before were now dirty and stained with red, and the golden clips that had held her hair back from her face had fallen out long ago, but still, she was beautiful.

  Her dedication to Julian made Raina all the more attractive. That was the kind of strength a man needed in a woman. Niam wondered if she would have been so diligent in her care if he had been the one injured. He shook his head as he gripped the doorframe so tightly his knuckles popped, of course, she would, and he knew that, but still the thought made his chest ache. For the first time in his life Niam was truly jealous, and he didn’t like it. When she had agreed to walk with him, he felt a small sense of relief as they left Julian’s room.

  Together they made their way up to the main deck and walked to stand at the front of the ship, the crew moved as if they were restless. Pulling on ropes, tugging sails into place, and running back and forth across the deck in a way that made Niam nervous. They were being pushed for time, he could feel the tension in the air as the crew turned their eyes away as the pair passed by, avoiding any attempt to question them.

  Niam watched Raina from the corners of his eyes as she reached up to touch her necklace before he said,

  “I managed a brief audience with the Captain, and he says we are heading to the Eastern continent. There is a large city there where we might find some work and start over. It’s the safest place next to Wisteria,” he said.

  Raina turned around and looked up to see the dark spot through the clouds above where the dead and dying leaves of the great tree stood behind them. Even from here, she could see it. Smoke was still curling up into the air, and black ash fell in clouds. She shook her head in sorrow before turning to Niam and swallowing hard before asking him, “Do you think he’s alive?”

  Niam frowned; he knew to whom she was referring too, and he heard the uncertainty in her voice, “I don’t know” he answered honestly.

  After Lucian had ordered them to leave, he didn’t think to go back and check on him. His only thought was to make sure that they reached the ship and that Raina was on it when it left. Lucian didn’t matter, Niam didn’t matter, and Julian especially didn’t matter. Noël had made his demands very specific beforehand; get the girl away from Lucian and the city.

  These past six years, he had spent with her, and her family was finally building up to the boiling point. He had thought he could forget it all and leave his past behind him, Niam believed he had been successful considering how long he had been gone, but he also had never thought that his brother would actually come looking for him.

  Niam leaned back against the railing, resting his elbows over it and looking up at the sail. A small purple flag with a green diamond was furled out from the central mast, and sea birds fluttered around it. Shrieking at the crew as they dove between webs of thick rope. Crossing his arms, Niam glanced over at Raina and said,

  “So, I was right then. Time to plan the wedding.”

  He saw the intent in her eyes before he felt the stinging of her hand as it landed an open hand blow across his face. Rage burned in the look she gave him,

  “You know as well as I do that that might never happen! Don’t mock me, Niam,” she growled.

  “Raina, I didn’t mean...” he began but stopped.

  Her blue eyes seemed to flash, as deep and dark as an ocean in a storm, stopping him mid-sentence. A halo of blue energy burst around Raina as her eyes began to glow softly. He swore he could see wings unfurling from her back to arch gracefully through the air. The smell of ozone wafted from her hair as it blew in the breeze, and he swore the clouds above rumbled in response. All of her beauty burned away to reveal a goddess beneath that was all the more terrifying and all the more gorgeous for her anger.

  Niam took a step back as his eyes grew wide with the shock of it and reached up a hand to feel the welt burning on his face, all while resisting the urge to either hit her back or kiss her or do both.

  Niam flinched at the sound of his brothers’ voice, “Ah, there you are, my lady.” He knew his brother would be here but had assumed he wouldn’t actually make an appearance.

  “Niam, I would go with both choices if I were you but, we both know I’m the only one allowed to tame this beast,” he sneered. Niam’s lip curled as his brother circled both of them. They had also agreed on a rule to not use their telepathic powers on each other. But Niam should have known that Noël would lie. He always lied.

  {Brother, tread carefully with your words} he projected, narrowing his eyes at Noël.

  Noël grinned, cocking his head to the side as the smile became a sneer, {Sorry, little brother but you already knew this. You were warned not to get attached}

  {You failed to mention your plan to destroy the city} Niam said and growled his lip curling. Raina watched the silent conversation between them, their faces revealing almost nothing but again she swore she saw a flash of teeth too sharp to be human.

  Still staring Niam down, Noël came to a stop in front of Raina and lowered himself into a bow, he was dressed to impress with a dark blue doublet over a white long-sleeved blouse, an emerald green sash was tied around his waist and held a set of swords on his left hip. He wore matching dark blue trousers tucked into tall black boots. His short red hair brushed over his eyes that matched his sash in color.

  Raina narrowed her eyes, cocking her to one side she opened her mouth to question them, but Noël continued his charade. With another bow, he introduced himself to Raina,

&nbs
p; “I am Noël Yuri Tellemer, and you have already met my little brother Niam Yule Tellemer.”

  He turned to Niam, “And you, little brother, need to learn some manners when it comes to ladies.”

  I clasped a hand over my mouth as the man in front of me introduced himself. They had the same hair, the same darkly tanned skin though he was a bit taller and not as lean as Niam. Standing next to each other is far easier to see the relationship between them. Their face and build were the same, their hair the same crimson red only one face was set with bright sapphire eyes the other wore pensive emeralds. Niam had always said he didn’t remember if he had a family. He had always said that he couldn’t remember anything about his past before he was rescued by the cargo ship. And the name Tellemer, something tickled in the back of my mind but I couldn’t quite recall. I had the nagging feeling that it was essential and that I was in a dangerous situation.

  Noël continued, “I realize that this must come as a great shock to you considering all that has happened in the last twenty-four hours. I assure you, Mahadou, that all will be explained in time. For now, enjoy the leisure of my simple ship.”

  I flinched. It was that word again. The Ifreet had said that before. And Niam, he had said something to me using that word as well. I turned to Niam,

  “What’s going on here?” I asked and gave Niam an accusing stare, but he shied away from it, refusing to look me in the eyes as he ran a hand over the back of his neck, deferring to his brother.

  Noël continued, “Yes, didn’t your father tell you? We Tellemer are one of the wealthiest families in all of the Eastern cities. We own a vast majority of the trade companies your Northern city, Wisteria, deals with...make that dealt with, in trading for spice and herbs. Including much of the fine wood your father worked with,” Noël paused, and a grin spread over his face as he leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “And I believe we have employed him for other endeavors as well.”