by Halie Fewkes
Ebby! Ebby!
She heard thoughts being shouted at her as Ratuan kept hold of her hand and they took off.
Ebby glanced back at the cell to see Leaf standing at the bars, looking straight at her.
Please be careful, he thought to her. Ebby frowned back, upset that anybody might suggest she wasn’t perfectly safe with Ratuan.
I’ll be fine, thank you, she thought back, promptly turning back around to walk with Ratuan’s hand comfortably in hers.
“Where is Vack right now?” Ratuan asked as they approached the hidden crevice that opened into their map room.
“I’m not sure. Probably with Jalia or Mir.”
“Who are Jalia and Mir?”
“His best friends,” Ebby replied. She pointedly hadn’t mentioned them because she’d grown a little fond of Jalia while they’d shared stories and poked their fingers full of holes, creating the Epic outfits. And Mir had made her laugh at least twice now. He spent hours every morning, running along cliffs between falcon nests to check on their eggs and acquaint himself with their tiny hatchlings. He’d recently gotten permission to take Ebby, Vack, and Jalia out to see them too. “They’re both almost as bad as Vack. No manners at all. They fight all the time.”
Ebby and Ratuan slipped into their cove they’d worked so hard to create, and Ebby was immensely proud of the system of caves coming down from the ceiling.
“So you’ve said Izfazara spends a lot of time in this cave?” Ratuan said, setting his hand on one of the bubbles of rock. “And Prince Avalask’s hall is over here.” He let go of her hand to walk around the map. “And where is Vack right now?”
Ebby focused her thoughts, but already knew where she’d find him. “He’s exploring abandoned caves with Jalia. He usually spends his free time with her.”
“With her?” Ratuan repeated, looking the map up and down the same way he looked at a chess board. “So, where at, exactly?”
Ebby felt suddenly, unexpectedly uncomfortable.
“Why... does it matter?” she asked, folding her arms with an uncertain tickle in her stomach.
Ratuan looked up and gave her the slightest frown. “I just want to know. Is something wrong?”
“No. Of course not,” she said. “Have I ever told you about this room over here?” She smiled her best, most loving smile to ease the tension. “There are all these statues inside, made of black glass. You would never believe how real they look, Ratuan. They represent all the women in the royal family who’ve been killed by their curse.”
“Sorry Ebbs, I still haven’t been out of the kitchens or the dungeons. I can’t say I can quite imagine it.”
A bitter chill crept into Ebby’s chest, like Ratuan was angry with her. “So where exactly is Vack right now?” he asked.
Ebby glanced back at the map, knowing she could point straight to the caves Vack and Jalia liked to explore, and knowing Ratuan would smile with relief as soon as she showed him. But a small voice in her head cautioned her.
You’re more than a pawn in everyone else’s hands.
“Ebbs?” Ratuan moved around the map to grab her hand, but it wasn’t warm. It felt jealous again, and she couldn’t figure out what she’d done wrong this time. “Are you afraid they’ll do something to you if you tell me?”
She could easily get out of this by saying yes, but it wasn’t the truth. “No,” she said softly.
“Then what’s wrong?”
Ebby glanced up at him and said, “I don’t want you to hurt Jalia. Or Vack.”
“Because you want to be the one to do it?” he asked.
Ebby took a quick breath and nodded. “Well, of course,” she said, trying to take a step back from Ratuan.
“Hey, Ebby, look at me,” he said, stepping with her and setting his hands gently on her shoulders as a tear escaped each of her eyes. “I know what’s going on, and I’m not mad at you, alright? You’re under more stress and pressure than any of us, and I never thought you’d be able to keep them completely out of your head. I was ready for this.”
“It’s just not what you think,” Ebby said, wiping at her cheeks, wishing she could just make him understand. “They’re not what you think.”
“Do you remember the day we were separated? The day the Escalis ripped my mother’s throat out and took you from me?” Ebby nodded, feeling perfectly awful. “And do you remember when you first realized the Escalis were trying to make you join their side, you promised yourself you wouldn’t let them take away your Humanity, no matter what happened?”
Ebby nodded and was about to explain how things had changed, but Ratuan said, “All I need you to acknowledge is that they’ve already changed you, compromised you. Because you don’t hate them the way you did that day. You’re barely opposed to them at all anymore. You can at least see that, right?”
Ebby nodded, knowing a secret part of her enjoyed Jalia’s reactions to the strangest little things, and would trust Vack with her life. Neither of them were evil.
“We both know they’re in your head. The proof is there, and I’m not mad at you, Ebby. It’s just that I’m watching them take you from me, one little piece of you at a time until you’re gone.”
Ebby shrugged miserably. “What do you want me to do?”
“Just tell me one thing. Do you still trust me, and I mean absolutely trust me with no reservations, when I say I want what’s best for you?”
Ebby nodded, and not because she felt obligated. She did truly trust him, with everything.
“Please Ebby. I need to know you’re still on my side.”
“I am,” she whispered, looking into his familiar eyes, brown with hazel around the edges, so caring and concerned.
“Can you tell me where Vack is?”
Ebby nodded and reached to the map, where a section of the caves glowed blue at her command. Ratuan smiled with the relief she’d expected, but for the first time in all memorable history, his smile didn’t warm her.
“I want you to know how much I trust you too,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Can you keep a secret?”
“I don’t know if I can,” Ebby said. “Minds are so… tricky sometimes.”
“You’ll be fine,” Ratuan said. “I know you will. I’ve told everybody down here we’re escaping in two days, because I wanted Prince Avalask to read our minds and think he could stop us. But we’re doing it tomorrow morning.”
Even though it was just one day’s difference, Ebby felt a stab of fear through her heart. “T-tomorrow?” she repeated.
Ratuan quietly shushed her as he nodded. “You’re the only one who knows so far, but I had to tell you so you weren’t left behind. The rest of the plan is the same — I still need you to distract Prince Avalask so he doesn’t notice us, and if anything goes wrong, just find me. I’ll keep you safe.”
“Ok,” Ebby said, nearly choking on the fear of her friends putting themselves in incredible danger.
Ratuan sounded perfectly confident and reassuring as he said, “I’ll be fine, and so will you. Just get through today, then one more night, and we’ll be free of this.”
Chapter Twenty
Allie
I sat pensively on a hill outside the Dragona where ice from last winter still whitened the highest peaks and crunchy orange leaves skittered past me on their way down to the sparring field.
My earlier argument with Archie had gotten heated. I’d yelled a little louder than I intended. He’d told me to go outside and cool off, saying he’d come talk to me when I was a shanking sensible person again.
He must think himself quite clever, telling me to come out here when that was obviously my intention anyway. I wasn’t about to calm myself in the caves of the Dragona, sandwiched between the dark, oppressive walls like an earthworm. Thinking is easier in the presence of happy bird chatter, surrounded by the smell of the forest, with open spaces allowing escape in any direction...
And I understood Archie’s concern. Yes, introducing Prince Avalask to Tarace would expose us as t
he Escali-sympathizers we were. But today was a new day, which meant we only had two more before those kids made their escape. Even if it went according to Ratuan’s plans, there would be blood on the way out. Whereas if Prince Avalask’s proposal worked, the whole war would be over.
Archie stepped onto the sparring field and spotted me in the bright sunshine as a warm breeze picked up, rustling more leaves down from their branches.
The knotted tendons in my neck began to unravel as he climbed the hill to reach me, and I risked a hopeful smile. “Did you decide to help me after all?”
Archie shook his head, and said, “This is a bad idea, and I’m asking you not to get us both the ten thousand year sentence.” I withheld an angry retort as Archie crossed his arms, readying himself for it. I think I surprised us both with my restraint, and once it was clear I wasn’t about to bite him, he relaxed his defensive front enough to say, “I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
“I’m sorry too,” I replied. I was still seated, but the hill put us nearly at eye level. “Your concerns are more than valid. I shouldn’t have called you an imbecile.” I met his eyes in sincerity, and he returned a brief smile to say all was forgiven. He made these things so easy.
“But… we have to do this, Archie,” I said softly. “I have to do this. The ends justify the risk.”
“Yes, but we should be looking for other ways to get Prince Avalask past that interaction spell, ways that don’t endanger us.”
“There are no other ways with only two days to go. And nothing’s going to happen,” I tried to reason kindly. “What’s Tarace going to do to me when I have an Epic at my side?”
Archie sighed and said, “I’m not worried about Tarace giving you Time right on the spot. But as soon as you show up with Prince Avalask, all of this is over.” He glanced at the edge of the forest and then down to the sparring field, speckled with fallen orange leaves whose edges fluttered in the breeze.
“If things don’t go well with Tarace, you’ll lose Liz, your home, and the chance to influence any sort of future here,” he said. “Have you really thought all that through?”
My heart hurt because I had thought through those consequences, and fear gripped me at the reality this could be my last time standing outside the Dragona. “Archie, how can we claim we’re here to influence the future if we pass up a chance like this?” I asked. “I really do get it. This is probably the biggest risk we could ever take, but if it works, I won’t have to lie to Liz anymore. And can you even imagine, being able to sleep at night knowing everybody you care about is safe?”
Archie softly replied, “There’s only a slight chance that will happen, against a very strong possibility Tarace will react poorly and will grant you ten thousand years of Time.”
“Come on, Archie,” I said, trying to keep myself from smiling. “Since when have I feared consequences?”
“Never!” Archie threw his hands up. “I have to fear them for you, and I have no way to undo the damage you’re about to do.”
I watched him, letting silence fall between us, knowing neither of us would give. I couldn’t. Sometimes we have to take risks.
In a low whisper of apology, I said, “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t go for this.”
And with his eyes on the ground, Archie nodded sharply to say he understood.
I waited alone for Prince Avalask, lying with my diary over my face to block the sun while the day grew hotter and windier. My first entries were pure rage on the paper, right after Prince Avalask had rescued me from certain death on Tekada, right after my father had been killed and my pregnant mother taken into custody. I read through meeting three people like me, named Robbiel, Archie, and Emery, all of whom were funny and good friends through my many struggles. I even reached a section about meeting Archie’s sister, and it became abundantly clear through the next several pages that I’d idolized her outlook on the world and her belief in right and wrong.
Several years passed with no entries before I found a much improved version of my penmanship, saying I’d gotten word my mother was dead and Liz was being exiled to Kelianland because she was a mage. I knew she’d be landing in Dincara and wanted more than anything to meet her, but I was also terrified of stepping into a Human city and trying to pass as normal. I deliberated about it for pages.
“You’re alone?” Prince Avalask landed on the hillside, glancing around as though his Epic senses may have missed Archie among the crunchy leaves.
“Yep.”
He peered at me as I closed my diary. “Care to talk about it?”
“Nope.” I swatted a stray leaf out of my eyes as a rattling gust knocked several more from the trees.
Prince Avalask looked out over the sparring field and said, “The Zhauri are hours away from here, chasing shadows, and I’ve ensured Sir Avery is quite occupied outside Teredor so we won’t be bothered.”
“Good,” I replied. “Let’s get this done.”
My heart began to race as we approached Tarace’s study. I’d faced worse dangers than this, I tried to remind myself, but I felt like I was being hunted and couldn’t run. Like I was sticking my foot in a steel trap, even though I could see its shiny metal teeth glinting in the sun.
“This is worth it, right?” I demanded from Prince Avalask as the door came into view. “I mean, you better make Ebby’s life the best in existence. And, these kids had better come back to us in better condition than we left them.”
Prince Avalask cast me a sideways glance and said, “I would have second thoughts too, if I were you.”
His casual reply made me feel somehow more frantic, and I stopped. Even though this was the right thing to do, I suddenly wasn’t sure I could.
“But if I were you,” Prince Avalask said, glancing back at me as he slowed his pace, “it would calm me to think about the consequences of not acting. Think about what’s going to happen if those thousand kids from Dincara are left to Savaul. You could also think about Ebby. Because she’ll eventually escape back to Sir Avery and be made into a weapon if this doesn’t work out. And if you don’t help me now, you’ll regret for the rest of your life that you had the chance to change the world, and didn’t.”
I sighed as Prince Avalask vanished, and I pushed Tarace’s door open to find him alone, startled by my barging in.
“Could have sworn I locked that,” he said, getting to his feet with more haste than I’d think him capable, judging by his tired eyes. He shut the door and asked, “I assume you have news about Ebby. Here, have a seat. Where’s Archie?”
I sat in the chair across from his desk, the smell of papers and leather-bound books nearly overwhelming.
“Archie couldn’t come,” I said, “and I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I’m not here about Ebby.”
Irritation tainted his usually controlled expression. “We talked about this,” he said flatly. “The children from Dincara have been my priority since we last spoke, and Ebby was supposed to be yours. Did you even try to find her?”
“I actually was able to speak to her,” I said, glad to catch him off guard. “She still knows who she is, she hasn’t been hurt, and she doesn’t want to come home.”
Tarace threw his hands open in outrage. “Of course she doesn’t! She’s being manipulated by Prince Avalask!” He set his palms on the edge of the desk and leaned against them, thinking quickly. “I’ll send somebody out to let the Zhauri know you’ve got her location—”
“I had the chance to speak with Prince Avalask too,” I cut him off. “That’s why I came to you, and not Sir Avery or the Zhauri. The Escalis want peace, Tarace. You’re the only leader I know who’s sensible enough to entertain that idea.”
Tarace gaped at me in disbelief and revulsion, like I’d suddenly sprouted arm spikes and turned rabid. He touched his fingertips to his forehead for a moment, then said, “Excuse me?”
I slowly went on, “If we leave Ebby with the Escalis, they’ll give us every one of the Dincaran kids back, along with a truce. Th
ose thousand kids are more powerful than our one Epic, by far. We can’t afford to pass this up.”
Tarace ground his teeth together before asking in a low voice, “Have you misplaced your common sense, Allie? Escalis don’t want peace or a truce. They’ll never let those children return freely.”
Prince Avalask became suddenly visible beside me and said, “You’re not entirely wrong. It’s more a surrender than a truce, considering your position.”
Tarace froze in alarm, glancing at the closed door behind us, edging back from Prince Avalask, and looking to me in appalled horror. “This was why you came?” he whispered in betrayal. “To introduce him?”
I completely understood Tarace’s fear for his life, and tried to explain, “We were too short on time to do this any other way. The Dincaran kids are days away from a devastating escape attempt. And honestly Tarace, if we don’t make this deal now while Izfazara’s in power, we won’t get another chance. The heirs lined up to replace him wish us worse than dead.”
“Izfazara’s no different,” Tarace spat. “Am I supposed to forget the Escalis razing Dincara? My family’s lived there since my great grandfather built the city walls, and now it’s gone.”
Prince Avalask sighed. “No harm came to those who surrendered,” he said patiently, “and we took no part in Kelian’s decision to kill your mages.” Prince Avalask swept his black fur cloak off to one side and sat comfortably in the chair Sir Avery had occupied last time I’d been here. “You can sulk about the loss of your father, but mine was also killed when that spire exploded, and I’m still here. There’s a greater cause at stake.”
Prince Avalask kicked his feet onto Tarace’s desk, and Tarace threw me a furious glance, full of so much hate that I knew everything was ruined. Archie was right. I’d just given up my life at the Dragona.
“You and I never have to get along, Tarace,” Prince Avalask said, folding his hands in his lap. “But we do need to talk about the children we found after the battle in Dincara.”