by J E Mueller
With the decision made we prepared to leave in a few days. Juni would stay and help Celia until we returned. Some good help I was turning out to be there, but Celia didn’t mind. She laughed it off, more excited to see where these events would lead.
Setting out was a bit nerve-wracking and we were barely out of the village when I almost turned back.
“They probably don’t want to see me,” I said unconvincingly.
Lee had found a missing poster earlier, so he wasn’t buying it. “They wouldn’t go through all this effort for no reason,” he waved the poster in front of me for the third time today.
“Maybe they just want to kill me once and for all.” I sighed.
“That wouldn’t work well. You’d have half of them killed before an arrow could reach you. You’re overthinking things,” he insisted, leading the way.
“Someone’s got to. Realistically, it’s impossible for everything to turn out positively.” I crossed my arms but stuck to the path.
“Statistically speaking everything can’t be bad either. Having things turn out well once in a while can happen too. It’s about time something turned out well for you,” Lee happily pointed out.
I just stared at him. “I’m already happy with the good that managed to come back into my life. Pressing my luck doesn’t seem to bode well, and my gut says things aren’t going to go as expected.” I tugged at the necklace Juni had given me, hoping the balance she enchanted it with would still work on me despite my curse.
Lee sighed, magic lighting his eyes. He smiled at me. “Looks good to me. At most they’ll make your least favorite meal by mistake and spend all night feeling sorry for it.”
I raised an eyebrow but didn’t press it. The future was constantly changing and he would easily have a reply for any further negative comments.
It was a five day walk, including all the extra breaks Lee needed to rest. I imagined if we had received an escort we would have had horses, but walking suited me. It was good for Lee too who was normally used to being active. When the castle came within sight I was ready to change my mind. The towering structure was still gorgeous. It had not changed at all, and I was glad to see my memory hadn’t failed me.
“Let’s go back,” I said turning around as a wave of uncertainty struck me once more. “I can’t even think of what to say to them.” I had been trying to think of what to say for days, but nothing seemed right.
“Maybe they’ll say something first so you can just reply,” Lee shrugged. It was a good suggestion. “How will you know otherwise?”
“Maybe it’d be better to write to them a few times first. Break the ice a little more.” I wished I had thought of that first. It had been a long time since I had written anything. I could likely use the practice. My penmanship was an atrocity for someone with royal blood.
“They were asking about you before I left home. I’ve no doubt they miss you,” Lee replied softly, trying to be comforting.
“What brings you to the King's Wood?” a voice asked.
We turned to see a castle guard likely a patrolman, fingering the sword at his side as he eyed us suspiciously.
“We’ve a meeting with the royal family. We’re expected,” Lee replied with simple confidence.
The guard looked us up and down.
“Why aren’t you traveling on the main road if you’re expected?” he asked, doubting us reasonably enough.
“It was a straighter walk from Faraden to not take the main road.” Lee replied and pointed out our current path. “We should be on the main road soon if you’d be kind enough to escort?”
The town’s name rang a bell. “Princess Kikara?” the guard eyed me with surprise.
“I don’t think princess is a suiting title for me, but yes, I am Kikara.” I blushed. There was no way I was going to willingly let anyone refer to me by my title.
The guard pulled out a small horn and sounded it before turning to us. “Yes. You are expected. The first to spot you wins a pretty nice meal. Not to mention many wagered you wouldn’t even show.”
“That was the debate you walked in on,” I admitted. “It’s been a long time.” It actually amused me there were those who didn’t think I’d show. They had nearly been correct.
The guard nodded. “This way to the main gates.” He motioned for us to follow.
As soon as we were on the main road, there were several guards and curious staff awaiting us. While I could feel their curious glances upon me, I knew they were too well trained to question me without leave to do so. It was a wonderful moment because I had time to compose myself before meeting my remaining family.
“Queen Sandra would like to see you at once if your journey hasn’t exhausted you.” One of the maids said when we were past the inner keep.
“Who will we be meeting with?” I asked as formally as I could. My tone didn’t seem right. I was much more used to bantering with people like Kegan. Trying to sound like royalty again was going to be rough.
“Just the royal family my lady. Not even the guards are not allowed to be present at the meeting,” she replied, eyes cast down.
“If she’ll allow my friend to accompany me we will meet her at once.” Hopefully, that rule wouldn’t apply to me. I didn’t want to face them alone just yet.
The maid nodded and was quickly off. With back halls and hidden passages, she’d have a reply before we reached the royal chambers.
I guessed right as she returned just when I expected.
“Queen Sandra requests only that all weapons are left behind. My lady’s response?” she asked, barely meeting my eyes.
I handed her my pack and sword. “It’s a fair trade.” I glanced at Lee as he handed his weapons over as well.
“Those are all the weapons we brought.” Lee nodded his consent. “Thank you for your aid.”
And on we continued. The long halls felt endless.
Soon we stood just outside the doors of the royal chambers. The guards, as promised, turned to leave and stood at the far end of the hall. For the best. My heart raced and I begged my magic to be still. I hadn’t felt it flare-up this much since the battle. Lee squeezed my hand in support. Waiting wasn’t going to help ease my stress. Letting go, I pushed open the doors.
21
Inside was a waiting room I had once known well. It had been redone over the years, but the same style of sofas and chairs forming a semicircle remained. For a moment we all stared at one another as the doors closed quietly behind me.
Sandra and David looked older, no surprise, but hadn’t changed much in appearance. Zarek, on the other hand, had grown into himself and looked very different. He was no longer the lanky brother I had once chased around the palace.
“You’ve grown, baby sister,” Zarek said after a moment. He was the one closest to the door. No surprise. He could better protect everyone had I been a fake.
“I’m surprised they talked you into cutting off all your hair,” I replied in turn.
Zarek rubbed his close-cut hair. “It’s really hard to be taken seriously as the head military official when your hair is as pretty as mine was. It’ll grow back.”
“I’m glad their biggest issue was your hair and not your age.” I wasn’t sure what else to say but was glad Zarek seemed to know what to say.
Zarek shrugged as he thought for a moment. “Keeping a lot of the older advisors helped more with that than anything. It is more important to know your strengths and part knowing when to ask for help from others.” He tried to wave me closer, but I hesitated.
“I haven’t mastered either of those,” I admitted.
Zarek laughed. “Still rushing through everything?”
“I’ve mastered that much.” I nodded, trying to keep the conversation light. My heart already felt as if it could explode through my ribs.
Sandra smiled, trying to join in. “So little Key where have you been hiding?”
“Just about everywhere, Sanny,” I replied, not really sure where to begin.
Her eyes lit up at the old nickname. “Nothing less would have convinced me. Truly though, where?” It surprised me that her nickname was what really convinced her that it was me, but I couldn’t remember if I was the one who came up with it or not.
I listed off a handful of towns - most of which were in the southern part of the province.
“See? Moving our efforts south helped.” David nodded, proud of himself. It was nice to finally hear him speak up.
“I made a deal with myself that I’d respond to the flyers only after I knew I wouldn’t accidentally kill any of you,” I informed him. I didn’t want to tell him the flyers didn’t really play any part in this matter.
“You’ve done it, then?” Sandra’s excitement filled the room. “You beat the curse that Ramulus bestowed upon us?” It was weird hearing my father's name.
“No.” I shook my head, ignoring his name -at least she didn't call him father. I wish I had been able to say yes, and originally that was the main goal, but things had changed. “It’s under enough control that I won’t accidentally kill someone. I still have a lot of practice ahead.”
“Well, I won that bet.” David looked over at Sandra.
“She has it under control. No deal.” Sandra shook her head.
I glanced over at Zarek, and he shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d show, so we made bets.” Did they really all take bets on the situation? I wasn’t sure if I should be amused or annoyed.
Sandra seemed to finally notice Lee standing a step behind me, “And who’s this?”
“This is Lee. He’s a friend who has helped me learn to control my magic.” I introduced them all in turn.
“Why don’t you come sit down and catch us up on where you’ve been.” David beckoned to me.
I hesitated for a moment but did finally take a seat, Lee by my side.
“Most recently, Faraden. Before that I was in Kinsfield,” I started to explain but was quickly cut off.
“Wait, the very same Kinsfield that was just attacked?” Zarek was out of his chair in an instant. He resettled himself in his seat, trying to keep up the more formal look he had had earlier.
“It was a terrible occurrence. I was there for all of it.” I nodded. “Help came just in time.”
“Almost too late really.” Zarek sighed. “We came as quickly as possible but were held up by some forces that were expecting us.” Giving up his calm appearance he got up to pace. “We’ve many in the dungeons now. They’ve given us a great amount of information on the origin of this, but not enough to find the true heart of it. I can’t believe you were there!”
“They’ve only attacked in the south,” David pointed out. “So we have a strong idea where this all came to be, but our sources say they aren’t the first. The group to truly start spreading this hate is still unknown to us.”
“With current events aside,” Sandra cut in, “This will continue and we will solve it. I would very much like to know how you got a three-day head start before the castle knew you were missing.” She referred to the day I had run away so many years ago.
I blinked in surprise. “After mother fell ill, no one was in charge of checking on me. It was an oversight to be sure, but I couldn’t stay after her death. It was too much.” I looked down at my hands. It was far easier than meeting her eyes.
“No one blames you for leaving,” Sandra said soothingly. “Life was hard, and everything had been handled poorly. Truly, Mother should have sent you off for proper training and care. You could have learned so much and come so much further along if she had done that from the start. Yes, we wouldn’t have known you as well as children, but in the end, we lost you anyway. I hope with the knowledge and practice you’ve gained we can try rebuilding what was lost.” There was a lot of emotion in her words, but she still held herself as composed as possible.
I looked up at her. “I’d love to get to know everyone again. The rest we’ll have to see about later.”
David nodded, excited that I did want to get to know them again. “So tell us. How did you slip past all the guards?”
I explained a lot of what had happened but found myself skipping details. I did include Sam, but altered how he died. It was something I didn’t feel the world needed to know. I also didn’t include Lee’s brush with death. Lee didn’t correct me and instead left me to choose what I did and did not feel up to sharing. It was a lot to speak of to those I hadn’t seen in so long. Even with their nods of acceptance, it was still a lot for me to take in and believe.
Zarek didn’t let silence linger after my abridged story concluded. “I think Mother would have loved that you found your own way, even if it was against what she wanted. She did admit at times when she was wrong. I’d like to think she would have come to her senses if she hadn’t fallen ill.”
Sandra nodded, happy to add more. “We were taught well enough that when she passed we were ready to take over, though we did have help from our uncle for many years before we went our own route.”
“Many didn’t like that we split the throne. Our province is much too large for a single family to rule, though.” David shook his head. “Our father never thought that through. However, with us splitting it, things are much more manageable.”
“Though it’s a nightmare from a defense standpoint. Our allies are strong now, but this new magic hating rebellion may cause a rift between us and our allies.” Zarek leaned back in his chair. At some point during my tale he had sat again, and I only just now took notice of it.
“They’ll either cooperate or be cast out with no help from the kingdom. The far outliers cannot survive without our aid, and will be left for someone else to pick up,” Sandra pointed out. “And more than most of that so-called outside help is not worth going to.”
“Very well said. Maybe it’s a good time to renew those loyalties once more.” David mused.
“Perhaps, but tonight's not the night for that,” Sandra replied as she glanced over at me.
“Yes,” Zarek agreed. “We should celebrate Key’s return!”
I shook my head. “That’s really all right. I’d love to hear more about you, though.” While I understood why they wanted to celebrate my return, I did not want a huge fuss made on my behalf. I wasn’t even sure how long I would be staying.
Zarek shrugged, easily keeping the conversation light. “I guess there is a lot going on. I’m engaged.”
“I had heard rumors about that.” I nodded, smiling. “What can you tell me about that?” I truly did want to know and was glad to hear I hadn’t missed the wedding. I had already missed everyone else’s.
“We’ve yet to announce who I’m marrying though.” Zarek smiled wickedly. “Would you like to know why that’s so?”
“I hadn’t thought of it before. I thought a reliable word just hadn’t reached where I was. Why haven’t you said who it is yet?” Curiosity was getting the better of me.
“His name is Jameson.” Zarek smiled brightly. “An open minded kingdom isn’t without its naysayers.”
I smiled. “That’s a wonderful name. If they hate him then they don’t need to be a part of this kingdom,” I teased. “Good thing you're not the first. That should make it somewhat easier.”
“We’ll see.” He shrugged. “Better news is you’re an aunt twice over.”
“Thrice over.” David corrected, raising an eyebrow at his brother, “I have twins and he groups them into one.”
“When they stop pretending that I can’t tell them apart they can be their own person. Those tricks don’t work on me,” Zarek defended himself, crossing his arms in fake anger.
“I’ve just one child at the moment.” Sandra smiled. “Caitlynn Rosemary.”
“Kent and Kris.” David shrugged. “My wife wanted them named after her late brothers. I understand the sentiment.”
“Here’s a fun fact you may enjoy.” Zarek said, redirecting the conversation, “My love has magic running in his family.”
“That’s pretty cool. What’s his gift?” I asked
excitedly.
“He dreams of the future, and can speak to plants.” Zarek stretched. “It was actually his suggestion to start the search anew in Faraden and move it further south.”
“Did he tell you what he saw?” That was a fun fact.
“He told me that you’d see the signs in Faraden. He didn’t see if you had heard anything before that, just that there would be the turning point for you there.” Zarek grinned.
Lee smiled. “Looks like you are on the right track then, Key. Now someone else with visions said you should be here.”
Of course, he’d bring that up. No matter, I was here now. “Ignore my magic friend here.”
“And what gifts do you have?” Sandra leaned forward with intense interest. She had been eyeing him curiously but had no easy way of bringing him into the conversation before now.
“I can see a short distance into the future,” Lee explained happily, “And I have a very limited control over elements. I can light a fire from wet logs or make a day just a bit breezier. I can’t summon storms or do anything very powerful, but my magic does have its uses.”
“Is Kinsfield full of lesser gifts and magics, then?” David asked with interest.
“A large portion of it is, yes.” Lee nodded. “Every once in a while a really strong gift will show, but those who have them tend to go where they are actually needed. The Order is great at finding them employment, and most come back to visit frequently enough. Sadly, just about everyone who could have aided us was gone when we were under attack. Lesser magics are great up until you’re in close combat.”
“Have you traveled from home before?” Sandra pried. I considered saving him from having to answer everything, but I enjoyed having the attention no longer fully on me.
“Yes, I have many times but not for very long. It’s a very different world when you come from a magic-based town. Not in any way bad, of course. It’s far easier to prefer what you’re accustomed to,” Lee explained, not remotely bothered to be speaking to the royal family about his mundane travel experience.
“That would make sense.” Sandra nodded, taking in the information. This triggered another thought, “So would it be too much to think you’re here to stay?” she asked me, eyes filled with hope.