“His name is Phoebus and he makes a rather irritating travel companion.”
Gregorian felt his mouth hang open as he watched a tall woman in splendid robes stride purposefully towards them. There had been no visitors in Thronegarden for so long and now all these people had come at once.
“Of course, my name is Phoebus. Don’t you think I know that,” the owl snapped.
“It is good to meet you,” Delridden offered.
“Who are you?” Phoebus enquired.
“My name is Delridden.”
“Is that what you call yourself now?” The Matriarch raised an eyebrow.
“It is an honour to meet you again, Matriarch,” the warrior acquiesced.
Gregorian recognised the sorceress from Damselfly’s tale. Magicgarden’s last guardian had travelled all this way and she was not alone. The greatest surprise came in the shape of a rather insignificant-looking man whose name was as famous in Fable as any king’s.
“Bakka, the great smith.”
“Why are you here?” Delridden questioned.
“We are looking for a bell,” Phoebus stated.
“No, we are looking for a girl,” the Matriarch corrected.
Gregorian was getting a bad feeling about the conversation, and despite his fascination at meeting such an exciting band of travellers, he wished someone else had found them first.
“That is strange. We are also looking for a girl,” Delridden explained. “The Princess Damselfly.”
“It seems we are all here for the same reason,” the Matriarch discerned.
“I have some bad news,” Gregorian interrupted.
As everyone turned to look at the gatekeeper, he felt his heart drop and soon his expression was mirrored in the faces of his new friends as he described the recent events.
Luyna was just starting to feel that the tide was turning in her favour when Tyten rushed into her chambers with news that a band of travellers had arrived. Visitors were rare enough in Thronegarden to cause a stir, let alone these famous and unique individuals. The sorceress cursed her luck before following the Captain of the Guard to the courtroom where the guests had been stationed. Luyna immediately recognised her counterpart, the Matriarch, amongst the unusual band and steeled herself for another battle. The other faces were unfamiliar although she recognised Phoebus from the Thrane family crest and there was no mistaking the Peritwinkle whose massive frame was currently covering all the available space.
“Luyna, tell me there is some mistake.” The Matriarch came forward.
Soldiers created a barrier between the magicians before Luyna signalled for them to stand down; this was not a conflict that could be won by sheer force.
“Did you condemn Damselfly to the Evergarden?”
“She was found guilty by the court,” Luyna rationalised.
“She is only a child,” the Matriarch criticised.
“Princess Damselfly is much more than that,” Morris, the Wintergarden innkeeper interrupted. “She is the bravest of us all.”
“It is true,” Delridden agreed. “No one else came as close to saving time as the princess.”
“Unfortunately, such a goal is impossible,” Luyna stated.
“We cannot continue like this,” the Matriarch criticised. “Wintergarden is a frozen wasteland, magic is running out and even here in Thronegarden the fields are dry. Time may have stopped but the cracks are growing larger and soon we will all be standing on a precipice.”
“What do you suggest?” Luyna asked.
This was a question that stumped the small group for a moment as each attempted to come up with a plan to achieve the impossible.
“I came to help Damselfly,” a figure at the back relayed.
“Who are you?” Tyten posed.
“My name is Bakka.”
Luyna was truly shocked at this revelation and thoughts rushed through her mind as she considered the consequences of the great smith’s return.
“Damselfly is lost to the Evergarden,” Luyna added with a note of sincerity. “However, we will find a solution to these problems.”
Remembering the young woman whom she had known years ago in the Magicgarden, the Matriarch offered Luyna the benefit of any doubt, and it was agreed that they would reconvene later to discuss alternative options. This granted Luyna a short time to come up with a fresh solution.
Gregorian was glad he returned to the castle so soon after leaving with a feeling of unfinished business. Unfortunately, the growing tension pervading Thronegarden meant that conflict was always likely.
With his new friends bringing a fresh wave of impetus to the residents, the royal army was under greater pressure. The catalyst was Delridden who, unable to help Damselfly, turned his attention to visiting his lost love, Uriel. When the guards stopped him from going down to the dungeons, a skirmish broke out that resulted in Tyten and Delridden facing off. With neither warrior willing to back down, others had to get involved to stop bloodshed.
Gregorian had warned the visitors that discussing Princess Damselfly broke the new proclamation set down by Luyna. At first this could be tolerated due to the ignorance of these outsiders. After being told repeatedly to cease their fire branding without success, another argument broke loose, and Luyna demanded that if the strangers were to stay in Thronegarden they must obey by the castle’s rules.
“What if I refuse?” Delridden questioned.
“You will be removed from Thronegarden,” Luyna threatened.
“This rule cannot stand,” Delridden argued. “I want a trial.”
Luyna debated back and forth before finally agreeing to a court case. Feeling exasperated, the sorceress was accosted again by the Matriarch who had some further questions.
“I have spoken to the kitchen staff and they have advised food supplies are running low and with no rain falling our underground wells are almost dry,” the Matriarch queried.
“I shall look into rationing,” Luyna attempted to evade.
“Even that will only work for a short time,” the Matriarch pressed.
“We still have the animals,” Luyna stated.
“Who also require fresh water and food.”
“What do you want from me?” Luyna demanded, her yellow eyes flashing a warning.
“I want you to accept that fixing time is the only option to resolving the issues we face,” the Matriarch explained. “Damselfly was right about that.”
“You cannot say her name,” Luyna raged. “You will stand trial beside Delridden.”
“Fine,” the Matriarch replied calmly.
Furious at feeling like she had been outmaneuvered, Luyna returned to the royal apartments to seethe and brood on her plans.
Chief Justice Vale was dressed in a fine new robe as he presided over his courtroom at the trial of Delridden and the Matriarch although everyone in Thronegarden believed it to be greater than just two people’s fate. Luyna again represented the prosecution with power from the king, who was still conspicuous in his absence, while the Matriarch would stand for the defence. The benches were full of Thronegarden residents with everyone wanting to witness this turning point in their history. Tyten along with all his soldiers lined the far wall ready to step in and restore order if necessary. Rat once again watched from his unique vantage point above the gallery as Luyna started her opening speech.
“In these difficult times it is essential that everyone comes together and supports each other. There is no place for those who want to abandon their duties and seek to fulfil individual vendettas.”
“If that is true then why is King Handel absent?” the Matriarch queried.
“His Majesty is looking after the queen along with my brother,” Luyna excused.
“So it is all right for the king to ignore his responsibilities to be with his sick wife though not for Damselfly to do the same for her mother?” the Matriarch highlighted.
Luyna gave a wry smile that did not reach her venomous yellow eyes.
“The king is sit
ting beside his wife’s bed offering emotional support. He is not gallivanting across Fable on a foolish quest and disrupting the peace.”
The Matriarch, speaking to the people of Thronegarden, took centre stage.
“Since time stopped, we have all been guilty of melancholy. Without the threat of death, we have forgotten to live and ignored the critical signs around us. Without the changing of the seasons and nature’s wisdom guiding us, no garden can survive forever. Many people have left Wintergarden because there is not enough food. The same will soon be true of Thronegarden although there will not be anywhere else to go. Without the passing of time, there can be no change and that means we will stagnate and eventually our existence will be a curse.”
“We cannot die,” Luyna stated.
“Perhaps that is not enough,” the Matriarch offered.
Delridden stepped forward. As an accused he had the right to speak and did so with a conviction motivated by strong emotions.
“Before the Fairy King destroyed time, I was in love with a beautiful and kind woman. We were planning to start a family and had our whole lives ahead of us. Now there is no future, only a degrading present and if this is the price of living forever, I for one am not willing to pay it.”
“Who are you to make that decision for everyone?” Luyna snapped.
“We cannot cheat death,” the Matriarch countered. “Princess Damselfly was right when she attempted to correct this mistake. We have to restore time and go back to how things used to be.”
A murmuring of agreement rose from the watching crowd. They had seen the cracks appearing in the castle walls and glimpsed the food stores getting lower. Perhaps they would not die, though time’s absence could not remove the pain of hunger or hopelessness they felt.
“Even if we wanted to bring back time it is impossible,” Luyna raised.
“Damselfly believed there was a way,” Delridden replied.
“Enlighten us on this plan,” Luyna offered.
“It is a theory,” Bakka interrupted. “Damselfly thought that moonlight could break through the barriers between gardens.”
“As the creator of these gates, do you believe this idea?” Chief Justice Vale asked.
“Not to begin with,” Bakka confessed. “I still do not know if it can be done, though I agree with the Matriarch and Princess Damselfly that we should try. Death granted me longevity in exchange for creating items of power. Until recently I was using that time to wallow in the Lavagarden alone and miserable. Damselfly rekindled the fire inside me to live and rebuild what we have lost.”
“Can you construct a bridge to the Evergarden?” Luyna interrogated.
“I do not know,” the great smith responded.
Luyna looked triumphant as her opponent appeared to admit defeat. While the idea of restoring time might appeal to some, the actual reality of doing so was too difficult.
“I remain open to suggestions regarding restoring time; however, we need a viable option before we can give it further consideration,” the sorceress concluded. “In the meantime, a royal proclamation remains in effect and anyone breaking the terms of the castle’s rules will be subject to the relating punishment.”
“All who live within these walls must accept the laws that govern us,” Chief Justice Vale expanded.
“What if we refuse?” Delridden remained defiant.
“Then you will be forced to leave Thronegarden and return to your respective homes,” the judge informed.
“I am not leaving without Uriel and Damselfly,” Delridden instructed the court.
“Damselfly is lost to the Evergarden and if you are not careful you will join her,” Luyna threatened.
“I would rather join my friend in exile than live with the knowledge that I abandoned her when she needed me most,” Delridden resolved.
“Then you are a fool,” Luyna accused.
“I am also a fool.” The Matriarch stood beside Delridden in a show of solidarity.
“Me too.” Bakka stepped forward.
To Luyna’s consternation all the recent arrivals stepped forward to accept their punishment in support of Princess Damselfly and her mission. While this seemed like an opportunity to remove the insurrection, Luyna was concerned about the statement it might have on the castle’s general population. Mistakenly, Luyna had made Damselfly into a martyr, and now these followers were willing to sacrifice everything for her cause.
“Is anyone else foolish enough to step forward?” Chief Justice posed.
“I am!”
Everyone turned to the court’s main entrance where a small animated toy rabbit with a gold button for his tail strode forward and joined the accused.
“It is good to see you again, Buttontail,” the Matriarch smiled.
“Always room for a brave soldier in this army,” Delridden welcomed.
With a sign from Luyna the case was decided and sentence given.
“I condemn all of you to exile in the Evergarden,” Chief Justice Vale pronounced.
Chapter 17
The Hardest of Times
Damselfly had been captured by the horrible Sprites who refused to grant her an audience with their master. She had been tied up with old clothing as there were no animals or plants in the Evergarden. In the dominating dark, only exiled prisoners roamed the Evergarden, watched over by a creeping fog. The princess had lost all hope of escape, so when a strange noise disturbed the Sprite camp, she was as dumbfounded as her captors.
Bullring, the Sprite leader took a couple of steps closer to the sound, showing he was unafraid.
“What was that noise?” one of the Sprites called Trogg questioned.
Before anyone could respond, Delridden emerged from the shadows along with a ragged army of Shade soldiers and Wintergarden villagers. Damselfly could barely believe her eyes, and the Sprites were equally shocked to discover an army appear out of nowhere.
“Where is the princess?” a voice called over the melee.
Damselfly recognised the Matriarch with Phoebus perched upon her shoulder. The forgetful owl still had the sharpest eyes and raised a talon in her direction. A tear rolled down Damselfly’s cheek as Bakka removed her bonds and she hugged the Matriarch.
“You should not have come. Now we are all trapped here,” Damselfly cried.
“Don’t worry, child, if there is a way out of here, we will find it,” the Matriarch promised.
The skirmish lasted only until the struggling Sprites witnessed the Peritwinkle’s massive bulk trample onto the battlefield and every single one of them turned tail.
“They deserve a taste of their own medicine.” Gregorian stated.
“We have bigger issues than a few lazy Sprites,” the Matriarch reminded.
Delridden, who had led the attack against Bullring’s meagre gang, pushed through his gathered friends to reach Damselfly who embraced him with fresh tears running down her face.
“You all came to rescue me despite the consequences,” Damselfly sobbed.
“We learnt how to be brave from you,” Delridden replied.
“But where is Buttontail?”
When Luyna had revealed to Buttontail that she had created him to keep Damselfly compliant, it had shaken the rabbit’s world. His love for Damselfly even exceeded his desire for food, and knowing that his creation was tainted made it difficult to face his best friend. After hearing Damselfly had been exiled to the Evergarden, Buttons had blamed himself, knowing that he had abandoned his companion when she most needed him. This was a tougher blow to accept as Buttons had no control over how he was made, yet he had chosen to stay away from Damselfly due to his own shame. When he heard that people from their travels had come to rescue the princess, Buttons was determined to join them, though that was not enough for the redemption-seeking bunny. After Luyna had exiled them all to the Evergarden, Buttons had gone off alone to find the Fairy King and recover Death’s lost timepiece. If he could complete their mission then Buttons felt he could face Damselfly with his head he
ld high. Unfortunately for Buttontail, everything in the Evergarden terrified him. Firstly, it was dark; secondly, a mysterious fog seemed to slither after him; and thirdly, there was no food to be found anywhere. the Fairy King slept in a tomb; a natural hole had formed in the earth creating a narrow valley that the regent had settled upon. Confident that there were no threats to his security, the Fairy King was unguarded, and Buttontail had snuck right up to the sleeping despot. As Buttons neared the edge, dirt slipped from under his paws and sent him tumbling head first into the hole straight on top of the slumbering form. The Fairy King grunted though remained sleeping while Buttontail held his breath and tried to calm his nerves. Knowing this might be his only opportunity, the rabbit searched for the timepiece. Everything that he had learnt about the Fairy King made him believe that the sorcerer would keep the precious object close and so he was frustrated when there was no sign of it. Fearful that the Fairy King would wake up at any moment, Buttons renewed his search and with horror he discovered the timepiece was actually hidden inside the Fairy King’s chest. When Death had been defeated, he left a scar on his successor, tearing a hole through his chest and piercing the Fairy King’s heart with his scythe a fraction after his opponent had grabbed the timepiece. Now the Fairy King was actually hiding his greatest treasure inside the puncture wound, meaning that Buttons would have to enter the chest cavity in order to retrieve the timepiece. Steeling himself, Buttons lowered himself using his strong hind legs for balance while his upper body entered the Fairy King’s chest so he could recover Time. The rabbit cursed his short arms as he struggled to reach the chain attached to the oval-faced timepiece. With a final stretch he grabbed hold of the metal and retrieved the precious watch, only to discover that the Fairy King’s eyes had just opened.
The Fairy King woke with a feeling that he was not alone. His tomb was so dark he could not make out the roof above him. Sitting up, he brushed a fleck of dirt from his dark green cloak and snapped his fingers to create a spark of light. Shadows flickered across the walls, raising the sorcerer’s suspicion, though he could not discern who or what had disturbed his slumber. The Fairy King’s long, spindly fingers looked for an opportunity to strike, and he spoke in a deep voice that echoed authoritatively.
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